THE BEAST

TODVERHEXEN - Verbotene Hexerei - Reviewed By thevoidjournal ! Check it out here at this link: https://www.thevoidjournal.com/2023/03/24/todverhexen-verbotene-hexerei/

Without a doubt, the Chilean scene in recent years has more or less become synonymous with quality and purity in black metal circles - such raw energy is extremely rare even for someone like me - the person who listens to an average of fifty new selected albums every day. Among trendsetting and experimental titles, it's a breath of fresh air to come across a record like 'Verbotene Hexerei' - the debut full-length album of the Chilean black metal project TODVERHEXEN .

Todverhexen is one of the new, just rising with its black flame, projects that bring that nostalgia of the past 90s from the birth of black metal, while also bringing the specific Chilean atmosphere soaked in blood and evil, which stands out clearly among the other representatives of the genre.
Rotserbaen - the creator of the project, in no way aims to impress - he simply pours out what is accumulated in him as a form of natural expression, as it should be in a genre like black metal.

Kicking off with a cinematic element, opener 'Tödliche Geißeln' explodes into furious screams and crashing guitar melodies and fast drums that send us straight to the 90s and basement rehearsals. A deadly scourge, without a drop of falsehood and meandering through unconventional territory, with the song's final cold riffs being the final whip marking the mark of 'Verbotene Hexerei'.

Fiercely carrying the slogan "alone against all", Rotserbaen conquers from the very beginning of the record with his chilling fast guitars and the genre's traditional high vocals and shouts - subtly muted to touch the record to the beloved lo-fi feeling, but without is at the expense of listenability. If you like Lamp of Murmuur, Ebony Pendant, Judas Iscariot, Drowning the Light, Wampyric Rites or Thorns then you will love the music here. There is nothing veiled, experimental or new about the record - the sound fully follows the traditions of the genre, undoubtedly possessing the necessary rawness and emotional charge to make us want to visit it again and again...

The tracks on the album are eight and the total duration is about thirty-five minutes, which brings a real withdrawal at the end of the last song due to the fact that the album goes fast and sharp as a razor, leaving behind traces of atmospheric guitars and the ominous calls of Rotserbaen.

Laving between more epic atmospheric soundscapes evoking images of the early Middle Ages and ice-cold malevolence, 'Verbotene Hexerei' has its little moments of surprise with its delicate synths and melodic playful riffs appearing momentarily around all the darkness and ominous atmosphere. brightening up the situation for seconds… before total destruction.

An album for connoisseurs, 'Verbotene Hexerei' is one of the cult underground titles that you cannot pass up if you are a loyal fan of the genre. It just pulls you in and gives you exactly what you need - some damn good classic raw black metal. thevoidjournal

Release Date: 3/20/23

FFO: Judas Iscariot, Drowning the Light, Wampyric Rites