Year: 2020
Total Time: 27:27
Label: Debemur Morti Productions
The Indonesian PURE WRATH started in mid-2014 essentially as an atmospheric and melancholic one-man Black Metal Project by Januaryo Hardy. In 2016, this gentleman began to change his views on PURE WRATH music to be as realistic as possible – close to real life and his family history. The name PURE WRATH itself means real anger that emerges from someone’s depths of mind, including sadness, loss, and fury. PURE WRATH, inspired by nature, visions, solitude, loss and sorrow and having as their musical influences bands like BATHORY, EMPEROR and WATAIN, have released two full length albums (2017 – “Ascetic Eventide”, 2018 – “Sempiternal Wisdom”), a split with ONIRISM (2017 – “Endless Journey”) and the new EP “The Forlorn Soldier”, which will be analyzed below.
The album starts with an epic story, “When A Great Man Dies” with a strong SATYRICON old school introduction and diabolical vocals. Vampirical, dreamy and majestic EMPEROR-like keyboards for a chaotic satanic atmosphere. It is obvious and rather annoying that it is written on a computer, giving out a “false” feeling, but it is something one can get over after a while. The epilogue is a very nice surprise, with the use of a piano and the recitation of verses that close this “sick” first chapter. A “calm before the storm” we could say, the storm being the second song, “Children Of The Homeland”. A loud epic piece full of heartbreaking vocals. The guitar harmonies are right on spot and there is balance in the sound volume and instruments. A mix of EMPEROR and WATAIN. A chaotically lyrical composition with an amazing in epic, BATHORY-style conclusion, from their latest albums.
Listening to the 3rd and last song, “With Their Names Engraved”, there is an “invisible” warmth in the sound that slowly embraces you. The reason behind this is the repetitive themes in BATHORY-style up to the middle of the track and the sequence of mid tempo intervention using pure polyphonic parts and piano, accompanied by the groovy electric Black Metal “background”. As for the production of EP, it is better than their previous release, which was more “dry” and “rigid”.
In conclusion, this is a good effort, with a balanced and good combination of influences, which create a melancholic feeling. The truth is that RURE WRATH need to work towards their personal sound, which will make them stand out from the dozens of bands in the genre. After all, this particular EP is not a 100% representative release, but a little peek of what will follow.
Rating: 6,5/10
Editor: Nikos Mathiopoulos
Related Link: RURE WRATH – Bandcamp Page
