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! ! ! ! !
Artist......: Br├╝ka / Temple ov Ahriman
Album.......: Br├╝ka / Temple ov Ahriman
Year........: 2022
Genre.......: Black Metal
Type........: Split EP
Label.......: Red River Family Records
Language....: English
Source......: WEB/FLAC (16bit)
Quality.....: 1035kbps / 44.1 kHz / Stereo
Tracks......: 2 tracks
Playtime....: 00:09:47
Size........: 72.6 MiB
R.Date......: 2026-07-13
S.Date......: 2022-08-27
Url.........: https://open.qobuz.com/album/fmr55rbeln3ka
01. Br├╝ka - Mass Burial 4:54
02. Temple Ov Ahriman - At Ropes End 4:53
A two track split release cassette that has been put out
by Austin, Texas based label Red River Family Records.
Both bands featured are also from Austin and both play
Black Metal. Br​ü​ka are a four piece who have been
active since 2019 and have thus far released a demo, as
well as as an EP entitled 'Plague Tempest'. Temple ov
Ahriman is the one man project of Thornicator, whose
lyrical influences range from the Occult, history and
nature, all the way to more personal aspects such as
depression.
Br​ü​ka fill up side A with their brand new offering
entitled 'Mass Burial'. having just reviewed the bands
demo and EP releases, I know what a dynamic and
catastrophic sound these guys wield. So I was surprised
by the calming guitar tones and bass leads that open
this track up. It works beautifully though as a
juxtaposition for the mid tempo brooding riffs that soon
kick in. This track showcases Br​ü​ka at their most
dominant, with belligerent and ceaseless drumming that
batters and pummels endlessly, whilst also highlights
the brooding gloomy atmosphere they can create through
the use of the darkened guitar rhythms and poisonous
vocals. Another superb offering from Br​ü​ka, and this
one has a cassette release so I'm a happy man!
Side B features Temple ov Ahriman and his only track to
date, 'At Ropes End'; a despairing desperate ode to
being crushed to death by the silence and and
nothingness that is brought on by powerful bouts of
depression. Musically, this is strong, emotive stuff. A
cold, calculating sound created through harrowing and
bleak guitar rhythms, rumbling bass leads and
methodical, symbol crashing percussion. On top of that,
suitable anguished vocal work soars in an abrasive
manner. Great debut track from Temple ov Ahriman, I need
more of this, as well as whatever is in the Austin
water. As a niche point of reference, this reminds me so
much of Welsh one man band Coedwig Machen and his song
'Hopelessness Is All That Is Laid Before Me'. trust me,
that is high praise!