Spanish black metal institution Akerbeltz from the tourist town of Lloret de Mar, which has been doing its mischief since 1996, released its eighth album via Black Seed Productions these days. The factotum, the man for everything, in this band also wears the pseudonym Akerbeltz and is also active in Körgull the Exterminator, which have far surpassed his main field of activity in terms of fame. Akerbeltz have always been and still are deepest underground, although certainly legions of fans should have at least heard the name Akerbeltz since the explosion of black metal in the 90s.
Basically, there are no great changes on the new album, certainly no one would have expected that. As before, there is raw, dark, partly Scandinavian-influenced black metal to be heard, which has its role models in the second wave. Nevertheless, one would do injustice to the album would leave it at -despite all the qualities of the music- with this description. First of all, nowadays there are not too many bands that still play this sound in this version, which knows how to captivate with mangy underground charm, and secondly, Akerbeltz occupy a good niche for all those who find their former heroes too slick, too produced and soulless and who, on the other hand, find any raw black metal projects too amateurish. Consequently, Akerbeltz offer a good mixture of well thought-out, partly varied song structures and black metal spirit, partly the tracks contain a subtle noisy edge, which suits the album well. Playing tip is "Rejected fom the vortex", which starts with a great entrance, which would certainly in underground venues around the world headbangers freak out, before the song goes into clashing, nordic frenzy. Absolutely recommended for all who miss the golden era of 90s black metal!
