Hexenaltar – Descending Curse (Gnashing Blackened Thrash)
Well, here’s another Polish force-to-be-reckoned-with to add to the ever-growing, chapter-by-chapter tome of awesome Polish metal bands (of any genre). A particular bite is growing ever-present in the national sound of Polish metal, and if worshipping an altar of dark magic is your calling, well, these elements come together quite well here. Hexenaltar I knew of before, from their sadly under-the-radar EP Bestial Damnation, but I think at this point we can forget the past and move on because their first full-length, Descending Curse, is the true beginning of what is hopefully a long, and very blasphemous career.
Blackened thrash has remained dependable if one is looking for dark, gnashing metal that combines the best edginess of arguably four different genres (black, death, speed, and thrash), and Hexenaltar take this well-established approach as instructed by those who came before. But something in the Polish spirit, all that strong sense of self, is at the vanguard of Descending Curse. Completely sure of themselves, and their sound, Hexenaltar unearth, ungrave, and unlive not only their own previous work, but quite a number of blackened thrash acts I’ve heard over the past few years. The vocals, in particular, command the legions with relative simplicity, allowing the music slice through the frontline scum who came to the fight without armor. I struggle to avoid saying it, but for things that don’t need to change, blackened thrash is currently a genre that most excels in this regard, and with bands like Hexenaltar around there’s little need for variation. But, hey, we all know that can be nice. Regardless, for a first full drop, this will likely be the beginning of an apocalyptic Third Coming if these boys keep doing it right.
Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls
Hexenaltar – Descending Curse
Godz Ov War Productions
Cover Art: Juanjo Castellano
4.5 / 5
