Veneration - Thy Infernal

VENERATION - Thy Infernal (FALLEN TEMPLE - CD 2020)

O kurwa! This band is from Indonesia! I would never guess that, just like I would never imagine that any interesting black metal bands may exist in that part of the world. But Veneration is from there and "Thy Infernal" is the first recording of this band. With five songs (all of which have the word "infernal" in the title), they lurk deep in to the deepest and coldest abyss of the Scandinavian black metal, from Beherit, through the old Darkthrone to early Marduk... And bring the harshest and most minimalistic black metal to the sacrificial table. There's nothing exceptional, nothing new nor original. It all has been played countless times before by other bands, for nearly three decades now. But Veneration EP is good enough to defend itself. I like the production, because it's not silly primitive and chaotic. I like the songs, because there are some cool riffs, it all has that sort of memorable factor of old school black metal, especially where songs are slower and it all evokes the proper grim, cold atmosphere. Cool reverb on vocals... Definitely the best songs here are “Infernal Wraath” and “Infernal Damnation”, which stick out for being an utter pure Darkthrone worship. I have nothing against it, I dig it fully. So, even if it’s nothing outstanding, "Thy Infernal" is an interesting piece of black metal, not only because of the origin of the band. 

Verdict: 68/100