Review by Rick Eaglestone for MPM
From the shadowy streets of Wroclaw, Poland have returned to carve a path of sonic devastation once more with their latest release Hosanna.
Displays proceedings with an immediate sense of dread and foreboding is Ceremony of Black which showcases that even with numerous lineup changes they are still sharp as a blade, the interweaving of tempo changes work well to create an aspect of atmospheric in something so inherently raw, this is complimented greatly by My Name is Death which has some nice melodic characteristics.
The first of the albums short instrumental pieces appears in the form of Interludium I which is short but piano laden which does serve as a great introduction pierce to the one of the albums most ferocious tracks – Black Dawn
The albums longest track Gloria in Saecula displays another dynamic in the bands musical balance with more of a blackened vocal delivery but still with very much the underpinning of unyielding darkness with a wave of dominant basslines, this is then followed by easily my highlight track the frostbitten tones of Kres Istienia are welcome addition.
Interludium II again combines the same elements as its predecessor and although the band follow the same formula as before with Impaled Flesh it does not quite have the same impact or fierce precision as before which is shame as the vocals on this are executed very well with a nice visceral twist.
Holy Poison fires right back and ignites a black metal flame under anybody listening with chant like vocals and an unnerving aesthetic it certainly swings the balance back again but again Interludium III at 16 seconds long feels like a waste as the transition into Black Manifest would’ve worked well with maybe the last instrumental element being left to last as not to disturb the albums natural flow
To almost cement my point the band then incorporate a wonderful snippet of dungeon synth into final track Funeral Whore which I make no bones about it something that I particularly enjoy in Black Metal when it is done well, which it really is and the thundering tempo that remains throughout really gives the album real weight behind it, I just wish it wasn’t broken up so much with sprinkles of tiny instrumental sections.
Hosanna Track listing.
1 Ceremony of Black
2 My Name is Death
3 Interludium I
4 Black Dawn
5 Et Gloria in Saecula
6 Kres Istnienia
7 Interludium II
8 Impaled Flesh
9 Holy Poison
10 Interludium III
11 Black Manifest
12 Funeral Whore
Line-up:
V. – War Tongue, 6 string hellish confession.
S. – Wall Crusher, Hell Tongue
B. – 6 string blasphemy.
M. – Hellblast
https://www.facebook.com/AntiFleshband
https://antiflesh1.bandcamp.com/album/hosanna
https://www.youtube.com/@VomitOfSoul
6/10
