Darvaza - The Silver Chalice

DARVAZA - The Silver Chalice (TERRATUR POSSESSIONS - 7"EP 2016)

Darvaza has been high and comfortable on the top of the list of my favorite Norwegian black metal bands (ever) and they confirm that they deserve this status with every recordings they do. Now, at the time of release of their debut full album, on contrary I decided to remind their shortest and most difficult to find seven inch vinyl EP, which is "The Silver Chalice". Obviously it was released on Terratur Possessions, I am not sure what was the limitation of this piece of black wax, but it is sold out and since then the price for this small vinyl has only been going higher and higher.

But let's check the content. "The Silver Chalice" is a pure, classic Norwegian black metal piece of filth. Just like bands such as Celestial Bloodshed, Koldbrann, Mare, Djevel or One Head, One Tail, Darvaza too takes full grasp of influence from the old black metal scene, but add that something "new", characteristic factor for the group of bands I just mentioned. And it is something what makes their music often sound even better than a lot of the classic Norwegian stuff. Yes, you’ve read it right. With all my love for early / mid 90's black metal from Norway, I feel like bands like Darvaza are often better. Maybe because they seem to treat the subject a bit more seriously? Or rather because their riffs are so damn good and the atmosphere is insanely morbid, cold and ritualistic? Also haunting vocals of Wraath do incredible work, this guy sounds possessed and maniac! Anyway, the song structure on both tracks is great. Darvaza puts an effort on creating the eerie, profound atmosphere, giving the music almost mesmerizing feel, there's nothing foreseeable and obvious about them. Especially the title track caught my attention, with its chanting choirs it is insanely impressive and unique song. But the whole EP sounds amazing, every time I put it on the turntable I keep playing it many times, so hard it is to resist to these sounds. Truly possessing and infectious music, and a real masterpiece in my opinion.

Verdict: 95/100