This sinister Czech entity returns with a crushing collection of songs of pure Black Metal magic under the flames of the north.

Shortly after the releases of their debut EP In The Eternal Silence and their 2024 EP Until the Darkness Comes Again, Děčín, Czechia’s own Black Metal/Ambient horde Decompose To Ashes returns with their 90’s Black Metal-inspired sounds in their first full-length opus, entitled Pod Plameny Severu, which translates from Czech as “under the flames of the north”. Now comprised of Honza Kapák on vocals, Wlad on guitars and bass, Leviathan on drums, and Silenthell on timpani, the band continues to blast their dirty sounds, raw production and 90’s vibe, with an ambient instrumental atmosphere being woven into their music inspired by gloomy burial subject matter, resulting in a crushing collection of songs of pure Black Metal magic.

Bouře plamenů means “flamestorm” in Czech, that’s the exact sound you’ll get in this phantasmagorical intro before the band demolishes our souls in Slyš jak umírám (“hear me die”), a grim and dark display of classic Black Metal where Wlad fires old school riffs accompanied by the visceral blast beats by Leviathan, resulting in an absolutely demonic composition by the quartet. Then once again Leviathan takes the lead in Brána z popela (“gate of ashes”), exhaling pure evil in the form of music boosted by the venomous gnarling by Honza, followed by Tma, or “darkness”, and the name of the song says it all as it’s a no shenanigans, in-your-face Black Metal attack showcasing the always piercing riffage by Wlad.

There’s no hope in sight to the sound of Z nicoty a prachu, or “from nothingness and dust”, once again bringing forward the blasting drums by Leviathan supported by the low-tuned, unstoppable bass by Wlad; and  they show their deep passion for Black Metal and all things dark in Za mostem z lebek (“beyond the bridge of skulls”), another slab of brutality, evil and rage led the the visceral riffs by Wlad, morphing into the atmospheric interlude Nářek nevinných (“lament of the innocent”), overflowing melancholy and obscurity before we’re treated to Krystalická řeka, or “crystal river”, where Honza sounds even more malignant on vocals, haunting our souls while Leviathan doesn’t stop smashing his drums, offering our avid ears more of their Black Metal magic sounds. And lastly, there’s still time for Návrat života, or “return of life”, an ambient outro that closes the album on a somber mode.

Black Metal can be an overcrowded land these days, and sometimes you need patience to find bands that truly stand out amidst the countless names out there, but let’s say Decompose To Ashes are definitely a band that knows how to differentiate themselves from the others, which is easy to notice in Pod Plameny Severu (available in full on YouTube and on Spotify, by the way). Having said that, go check what those Czech black metallers are up to on Facebook and on Instagram, and purchase a copy of their new album from their own BandCamp or from the Necroeucharist Productions’ BandCamp, keeping the “flames of the north” burning bright to the sound of one of the most interesting names of the current Czech scene.

Best moments of the album: Slyš jak umírám, Tma and Za mostem z lebek.

Worst moments of the album: Nářek nevinných.

Released in 2024 Necroeucharist Productions

Track listing
1. Bouře plamenů 0:53
2. Slyš jak umírám 5:27
3. Brána z popela 4:13
4. Tma 3:53
5. Z nicoty a prachu 4:24
6. Za mostem z lebek 5:00
7. Nářek nevinných 2:42
8. Krystalická řeka 4:00
9. Návrat života 1:09

Band members
Honza Kapák – vocals
Wlad – guitars, bass
Leviathan – drums
Silenthell – timpani