For the longest time, I’ve always revered Greece as a place that as a terrific metal scene albeit one that’s still building itself up, and the number of exceptional bands that have come from within its borders is proof enough the country is nothing to sleep on for any metalhead. Thrash has always been treated well by the Greeks, and that trend isn’t likely to change as yet again we’re treated to another band that blends thrash beautifully with black metal. In every way, Nigredo is far from a band to pass up.
Consisting of members that are already well established in the world of black metal and have more than proven their talent, the odds were definitely in favor of Nigredo when it came down to simply how good their first full-length album would actually be. Much to my satisfaction, the end result is a clear domination of what it means to create black metal that doesn’t only incorporate everything great about the style but also rewarding to anyone daring enough to listen. “Flesh Torn – Spirit Pierced” is far from an album that makes for a wholly unique experience the likes of which we rarely get, but Nigredo does keep things interesting so that we’re not sitting through eight tracks of by-the-book blackened thrash. While Nigredo doesn’t stray too far from a fairly conventional formula, but “Flesh Torn – Spirit Pierced” keeps the listener guessing by showcasing top-notch musicianship and a glorious understanding of how to create high-quality metal without sounding too generic or become too ambitious to the point of self-destruction. Nigredo knows when to make a sharp left turn to throw something unexpected at the listener and then actually make it sound fucking excellent before throwing another curveball in immediate succession. Few bands can nail such a thing, but it’s shown with pure mastery within the contents of “Flesh Torn – Spirit Pierced” to make the record a vicious record that’s just as satisfying to absorb.
I had plenty of faith in the talent and track record behind the minds behind Nigredo, and it’s very nice to see my faith rewarded splendidly in the form of a record that dark, tantalizingly vicious, and something truly worth digesting. Every form of Greek thrash has proven to be all but quality, and “Flesh Torn – Spirit Pierced” gives the black sect of Greece an unholy text to live by in all of its enrapturing and monstrous chapters.
“Flesh Torn – Spirit Pierced” releases on April 15th via Transcending Obscurity Records!
LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Flesh Torn – Spirit Pierced” on Bandcamp here.
LIKE Nigredo on Facebook here.
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