After a number of demos and EPs the members of Sutekh Hexen have unleashed their debut LP upon the world. Unleashed seems to be the only fair way to describe the release of this record as any other terminology feels as though it is undermining the nastiness of this recording. While the band play a form of black metal it is imperative that one not get this confused with what gets passed for black metal in the current climate. There are no hippie-ish, transcendental overtones (ala Liturgy), no overplaying or reliance on synthesizers and choirs ( looking at you Dimmu). Instead what you get is something that feels evil acts like a blackened barbarian smashing down your door.
The record begins with a cold overly fuzzy monstrous riff slowly building into the main riff of opener "The Great Whore" the band go hard and heavy through the song save for slight moments that break the noise up with calm quiet pieces making way for more darkness to enter the framework. By the last half of the second song "In Worship They Weep His Name" the band fully embrace the ambient bit that was hinted at on the opener creating a hollow and dark feeling to end the track. The band is never too far away from becoming an overdriven mess, yet they never seem out of control either. They consistently seem to avoid falling into their own miasma of noise.
While many bands talk about being trve or not Sutekh are just nastier than the rest. Creating layers of noise that support the overall intensity of the songs themselves. This allows the listener to almost feel pulled into the record that much more. While it can be an unpleasant listen for some it rewards those who take the time to fall within it's grasp. The production is cold beyond words allowing little room for anything to breath. The drums are barely audible and most times aren't even necessary as the propulsive element throughout the record remains the guitars.
Everything in this record makes its presence known when it is necessary and only then the artwork feeds into the same mystique that the band members themselves carry making sure that the music speaks for itself. There is little else to say other than that if need a record that truly feels evil throughout and has no need for the usual "look at me aren't i evil" black metal posturing this is the record you should be blasting throughout the winter.
