Keres – Homo Homini Lupus
Keres – Homo Homini Lupus
Gruesome Records
Release Date: 23/02/24
Review by Oli Gonzalez
9/10
Keres. An unknown for me, and a relative unknown for many. By the time I had listened to their latest effort “Homo Homini Lupus”, I firmly believed that they’re a band that should be heard by any serious Black Metal fan or anybody else drawn to the heavier and more extreme side of metal! This album is inspired by and illustrates the darkest aspects of humanity, while being the band’s most complex and sophisticated album to date. I can’t wait to tell you more about it!
Immediately, I was struck by the Black Metal edge fused with that glorious Death Metal spice, lurking more towards the slower and crushingly groovy end. Much in the style of Belphegor, but with a raw and industrious undertone, reminiscent of Anaal Nathrakh. Not a bad combination at all!
For the most part, Keres’ sound moves away from the traditional blastbeats and tremolo-picked guitar riffs you’d typically associate with the genre. Instead, we have those aforementioned layers of sound and more complex rhythmic patterns, perhaps best illustrated in ‘Oblivion’. This is crushing, demonically crushing, so heavy it will crush the skulls of your enemies! Keres command some serious respect and demand to be played repeatedly on full volume! Just like I did. I found myself rewinding this track several times.
‘Pale Horse Of Extinction’ does feel more like a traditional Black Metal track, at least in the opening stages. Especially with some of those thunderous blastbeats we all love. Add to that the scorching lead guitars that will make tone enthusiasts purr with admiration. I found myself taking a trip to breakdown city as I was snapping my head back and forth along to those crushing grooves!
The assault intensifies, somehow, as the album progresses to ‘Until Everything’s Burned’. I turn the volume up significantly and that Black Metal power pulsates down my headphones. It’s a reflex! ‘Leviathan’ changes up the attack from straight up brutal to spine-chilling and ominous in the opening, achieved through a much slower and cleaner arpeggio style guitar passage. This is before returning to what’s now a signature dose of heaviness! This illustrates good pacing and an ability to mix things up from a compositional point of view.
This ominous assault we heard at the beginning of ‘Leviathan’ returns in the middle of ‘Eradicate The Infected Seed’, and provides a bit of respite. This is before luring you into a false sense of security and then smashing your senses once again with the most outrageous outburst of Black Metal! Phwoar, honestly, this is not for the faint of heart! It’s like staring into the abyss… and I love it! I need to calm down for a bit as my ears have just been pummelled by the most sickening of blastbeats and eardrum piercing leads.
Sadly, we’re coming to the end. ‘Void and Silence’ opens with a much more haunting psychedelic passage. The tension is tangible. You know they’re building up to something. They build up to a wonderful crescendo and climax to the album. The wait is worth it. It’s overwhelming. The strongest guitar work on the album. The most crushing pulverising of intensity. Then the song ends how it finishes, with a much calmer psychedelic passage once again. Then we can breathe, our blood pressure can reset, then finally, the onslaught is over!
Wow. That was an experience. Now, time for some calm reflection.
This is a 9/10 for me. So, what’s stopping it from being 10/10? Honestly, a few tweaks that I’m sure are easily fixable. For example, the production could be sharper and a little less rough around the edges. In addition, the vocals could be clearer and brought higher into the mix. With this being said, make no mistake, “Homo Homini Lupus” is a juggernaut of an album and one that any self-respecting fan of the darker side of Metal needs to get their hands on! This is a statement of intent and should be considered a warning sign to the heavyweights of the industry; there’s a new contender and challenger to the throne. Keres.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Exist for War
02. Immaculate Incarnation of Darkness
03. Oblivion
04. Pale Horse Of Extinction
05. Until Everything’s Burned
06. Leviathan
07. Eradicate the Infected Seed
08. Void and Silence
LINE-UP:
ARES – Vocals
AZRAEL – Guitar
ASTAHROT – Guitar
HRYMR – Bass
NOTRHAKR – Drums
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Oli Gonzalez and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
