Illum Adora - Non Serviam Black Metal

ILLUM ADORA - Non Serviam Black Metal (FALLEN TEMPLE - CD 2023)

Illum Adora are new band to me, I've never heard about this project until I got "Non Serviam Black Metal" CD. After a Metal Archives check, I can point out that one of Illum Adora members, Hurricane Hellfukker, used to be a vocalist in Zarathustra. OK, that name rings a bell, because I listened to them quite a lot in the first decade of this Century - more or less until they did "In Hora Mortis" album, after which Zarathustra disappeared somewhere in the cemetery fog. Illum Adora has already two albums behind their belt - "...of Serpentine Forces" and "Ophidian Kult", of which the latter was released in 2021. "Non Serviam Black Metal" takes us to Illum Adora’s beginning and compiles two demos: "Begotten" (2015) and "Unchained from Slavery" (2016) - and I think it's the first time when they are released on CD. 

What you may like about this compilation is that both demos sound quite alike, so there's this feeling like you were listening to an actual album, not demos from two different recording sessions. That is noticeable both in the production and in the music also, which Illum Adora delivers – and which is harsh, simplistic, cold black metal. That feeling of continuity is certainly good, but what is definitely not good is a lack of quality here. Don't get me wrong - I still love to listen to some old black metal records, and there are also few newer bands in that genre, which stands out for me. But as I see it, Illum Adora on their demos is just mediocre and don’t have much to offer, so I quickly lost my interest. The minimalistic riffage, viciously screaming vocals, even the proper raw production – it's all just dull and yes, it’s been done better many, many times before. I can tell though that the second demo seems to be better, as there’s more diversity in the songs, slower tracks like “8” also work in favor for the band and my musical taste too. Other than that, I can’t tell you much about this CD. I gave it few spins, but the music quickly vanished from my head. Which means I don’t care. I have to underline that I don’t know how much these two demos are comparable to full albums. I doubt I will ever find out, but you never know. I’m not that curious. This compilation has 11 tracks, with two covers and that’s it. It's not a complete waste of time, but I would recommend this CD to the most die-hard black metal fanatics only (those, who grab every raw black metal, without a hint of criticism and expectations, just as long as the music sounds raw and hateful). Be my guest, I pass though. 

Verdict: 60/100

Towards Hellfire - Death upon the Holy Throne

TOWARDS HELLFIRE - Death upon the Holy Throne (PUTRID CULT - CD 2023)

First time I heard the name Towards Hellfire, I found out also about two things, which are very relevant to this band. First was the fact that Bloodthirst split up – which I had no idea about. A shame, as they were a solid thrash metal kommando. Second was the fact that Rambo from Bloodthirst quickly formed a new band. Obviously, he’s in Hell-Born too, but together with Diabolizer (also from Hell-Born, as well as Moloch Letalis and Throneum, to name just few bands he plays in) and Pilaf (Abhorrent Funeral) they created Towards Hellfire. I have no clue when the idea for Towards Hellfire was actually born nor who’s responsible mostly for the creation of this band and its music. I know nothing! But I can tell that their debut album “Death upon the Holy Throne” is brilliant. I’ve been playing it a lot in the recent weeks, probably more than any other CD, which I’ve got recently. And you know what? I still feel like I have not enough and can carry on. Such a good album. 

And if I was going to introduce Towards Hellfire music in few words only, then I would describe it as fast, fooookin vicious, yet quite melodic, very thrashing black metal. Towards Hellfire really doesn’t waste time, from the first song they rip through the speakers with some fast, relentless shit. But I really like how along that venom and aggression, also comes dark, eerie atmosphere and plenty of melody... which is maybe why there’s an impression that the music sounds slightly in the Swedish black metal vein. Some will say that it’s a bit like Dissection, I would rather point a speedier Merciless for instance... Whatever you will hear, it doesn’t matter, take that as a compliment and one of the few points of reference. What matters the most is how nicely all these influences – from thrash and death metal to fast, melodic black metal – work together and how Towards Hellfire plays them in more obscure and rawer version. At the same time, I feel like all these songs from “Death upon the Holy Throne” are really memorable and easily to get into and never dull. It didn’t take long before a lot of these riffs stack in my head and caused huge havoc there. Which is good of corpse, especially if you’re in mood for such straight forward, energetic black metal.  

I suppose that’s all I have to say about “Death upon the Holy Throne”. It's 40 minutes of bloodthirsty metal and I do recommend it fully. I’m really looking forward to hear more from Towards Hellfire in the future. 

Verdict: 85 / 100