Heruvim – Mercator (Deep Thoughts Death Metal)
It’s easy to pin a band with a single genre, but the question can remain, does the pin actually stick? Heruvim are unabashed in calling themselves “old school death metal.” Their debut full-length, Mercator, is an atlas of the genre, yet their presentation is much different. This can be easily summarized in a variety of ways, but perhaps one is a good catch-all for the entirety. Heruvim are masters of symbolism, and that includes how they write their music. Just look at that cover. Think it’s a simple, Hyborian Age reference? Think again. This band’s from Ukraine, and their words, as much as their sound, is only for the deep. Suffice to say, before I continue, you’ll miss the meaning if it’s just in the background. Mercator demands your full attention, so make sure you don’t let it drift past your ears.
Heruvim is rather audacious. They can lean into atmosphere heavily, but don’t sacrifice soundcraft in the process. The core instruments sketch the picture, utilizing subtle rhythm shifts, and other tricks like a bit of synth, to create a foundation on which the vocals can develop. At times they move like whispers in front of a dying fire before battle, yet know when to reach skyward with vibrancy. It’s not for show, either, there’s always a purpose. Heruvim work ambient drifts and art-death for the sake of simplicity (this is OSDM after all), but the burden of emotion they carry adds another layer. Carried by sleek production, Mercator is the real-deal, and from a group with only a short time to work their sound into something meaningful, it’s impressive. If I would have one complaint, it’s that this debut requires so much attention you’ll miss what they’re doing otherwise. Their tendency to linger over the vast sounds they create doesn’t work well as a subtle experience. Sometimes transitions feel late, some shifts feel tangential, with Heruvim trusting negative space, at times, a bit too much. But, in spite of that, there’s a clear novelty to their approach that was but brief seeds in the history of the genre thus far, and if they take care in how they allow these ideas to grow, their approach could be transformative in ways that feel familiar.
Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls
Heruvim – Mercator
Redefining Darkness Records
Cover Art: Server Terlekchi
4.1 / 5
