Holdlajtorja – Arcana et Tenebrae
Holdlajtorja – Arcana et Tenebrae
Sun & Moon Records
Release Date: 08/03/2024
Running Time: 49:00
Review by Metalphysicist
9.5/10
Holdlajtornia is a project formed by members from the Hungarian Black Metal underground: Inmar is a member of Vorkutan and Kryptagonist is known from his work with Cave Altar, Leiru, Sír, Vorkuta.
“Arcana et Tenebrae,” the new release from Holdlajtoria, is very interesting, consisting of Dark Ambient Avant Garde Music with Black Metal’s constant intervention. The funny thing is that I woke up on Sunday morning (07:30 a.m. [BRT]), got myself a coffee and a cigarette and put my headphones on to listen to “Monotheist” (2006), the last album from Celtic Frost, my favourite one, due to its dark ambience, lilting rhythm sections, and funeral vocals. And, right after that, I sat down to write this review.
I wouldn’t say that “Arc et Tenebrae” sounds just like that, but I think that “Monotheist”/Triptycon is a good reference for you to get a general vibe of Holdlajtorja’s experimental proposal on “Arc et Tenebrae”. But the spirit of Holdlajtorja is conducted by another kind of monster. Musically the album keeps a progressive mood, in the meaning that Holdlajtorja let the songs follow an unexpected trail of soundscapes. It’s worth to mention the production that keeps the underground touch highlighted, to reinforce the raw sensations and Dark Ambience, while listening to “Arc et Tenebrae”.
Those responsible to give life to Holdlajtorja, Imer (guitars and keyboards) and Kryptagonist (drums, vocals and bass) are bad-ass musicians that composed and arranged the songs in a different manner, allowing themselves to flirt with unusual string instruments and oriental vibes, highlighted on such songs as ‘Weeping Ruins’ (Intro) and ‘Arcana et Tenabre’, in sequence, whilst the guitar solos also go in that direction with nice sonorities variation, before the verses – the ones that reminded me the above-mentioned Celtic Frost’s “Monotheist”, and Alcest, a litte bit. The unexpected ritualistic conduction of ‘Ungrund’ which have percussive organical tribal instrumental lines mixed with the low beat sequential musical conduction and then the bass lines are highlighted preparing the music to turn into violent Black Metal conduction, completed by experimental singing poetry accompanied by unconventional drum signatures and pleasant guitar arrangements, which duel with the vocals to mitigate the aggressiveness of the Black Metal parts of this song.
Listening to the full album, “Arc et Tenebrae” convinced me that Holdlajtorja is capable to let their own fingerprints experimenting with way beyond the basics Black Metal ambient music. So, don’t be an avaricious metalhead and go to the bands Bandcamp’s website and purchase the album right now! The underground bands deserve proper recognition and buying their material makes them more confident to deliver to us more albums. I have just purchased my copy and I hope that Holdlajtorja project are willing to please us with another record, soon.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Weeping Ruins
02. Arcana et Tenebrae
03. Atlas
04. Ungrund
05. Eidos
06. Vox in Rama
07. Aenigma
08. Paneas
09. Ens
LINE – UP:
Inmar – guitars, keyboards
Kryptagonist drums, vocals, bass
LINKS:
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