Album Review: Wald Krypta – Possessed by Nothingness
Reviewed by Richard Oliver
Wald Krypta are a black metal duo with members from both the US and Canada and Possessed By Nothingness is the third album from the band being released through Eternal Death.
If you like a certain degree of what is called production values when it comes to black metal then you may struggle here but if you like extremely raw and unpleasant sounding black metal then Possessed By Nothingness is an album that it would be in your best interests to hear. The music is a very raw and lo-fi style of black metal with the production values of a rehearsal room recording. There is very little bass to be heard throughout the duration of the album which adds to the extremely treble heavy sound. The guitars are so sharp and harsh sounding that they sound like they could cut your flesh if you sit too close to the speakers whilst listening. It is a very raw and old school black metal sound on the album with savage tremolo riffs from guitarist Einsam accompanied by chaotic, clattering drums and demented black metal screams that pierce the ear drums provided by vocalist and drummer Heresiarch. There is a certain degree of melody that can be found throughout the album although these are melodies that evoke feelings of anguish and despair such as on Drowned Into The Last Realm, the title track and Beneath A Dying Star. There are a complete lack of pleasant sounds to be heard anywhere throughout this album but that’s generally the rule of black metal.
Possessed By Nothingness is a brilliant black metal album that is unhinged, full of torment and rippling with uncontrolled fury. The extremely raw and lo-fi nature of the recording will definitely put off the casual listener even those who enjoy the more extreme sounds in metal but for those who can handle the uncompromising nature of this album you are treated to some absolutely fantastic black metal that takes you on a journey. It’s a journey to a very dark place but definitely a rewarding listen.
