One of the very first Black Metal acts featuring lyrics in Sardinian Campidanese language returns with a magnificent opus dedicated to the occultism and folk superstitions of their homeland.

Aggressive, unmerciful and fast-paced, showcasing intriguing riffs and a certain degree of dark violence, Portoscuso, Sardinia, Italy’s most devilish Black Metal horde Vultur, one of the very first Black Metal acts featuring lyrics in Sardinian Campidanese language, with themes about Sardinian occultism and folk superstitions, returns to the battlefield with their third full-length opus, entitled Cultores de Perdas e Linna, following up on their critically acclaimed 2014 album Ogu Liau. Recorded by Alberto Bandino at Cut Fire Mixing Studio, and displaying a grim artwork by the band’s own bassist Maristella Spanu (taking inspiration from the Sardinian popular mask “Su Boe”, one of the most important characters of Sardinian Carnival tradition), Cultores de Perdas e Linna, which means “stone and woods worshippers” (which is how Christians derogatorily defined the ancient Nuragic population), features eight songs overflowing darkness, brutality and, of course, Sardinian occultism and folklore, all masterfully brought into being by vocalist and guitarist Nicola Fulgheri (aka Attalzu), guitarist Nicola Spaziani, bassist Maristella Spanu, and drummer Lorenzo Balia.

Attalzu wastes no time and begins vociferating rabidly from the very first second in Su Frastimu, a pulverizing, sinister Black Metal onrush that gets even more cryptic thanks to its words in Sardinian Campidanese; and Maristella and Lorenzo fire a Marduk-like evil kitchen in Eternu Trumentu, again darkening the skies in the name of classic Black Metal. The band shows absolutely no signs of slowing or toning down their music in Su Spegu, with Lorenzo smashing his drums like a beast accompanied by the visceral riffage by Attalzu and Nicola. And Maristella continues to hammer her ruthless bass in Femina Mala, while Attalzu summons absolute darkness through his devilish growls.

After such a hurricane of Black Metal, we have the atmospheric interlude Arestis, setting the stage for Vultur to crush our damned souls in Cultores Lapides et Lignea, with the deep, imposing vociferations by Attalzu sending shivers down our spines while Lorenzo once again sounds demonic behind his drums, not to mention the scorching riffage by Nicola transpires Black Metal magic. Then adding the heaviest elements from Death Metal to their core sonority, its time for a deep, infernal tune by the quartet named Umbras, where all instruments sound as austere as possible, in special the demented drums by Lorenzo, flowing into the beyond atmospheric Nemini Parco, starting in a somber Gregorian chant manner before exploding into one final blackened attack by the band, led by the infuriated riffs and bass by Nicola and Maristella, respectively.

Sardinia is the island whose ancient population dates back to the Bronze Age, featuring a rich archaic history and culture, and whose folklore still breaths nowadays within its fond population. Having said that, it’s truly amazing that a band like Vultur also helps to keep that spirit alive through Black Metal, which is in my humble opinion the perfect music genre to represent any form of folklore or occultism, and Cultores de Perdas e Linna is a flawless depiction of the band’s talent and devotion to their homeland, being highly recommended for fans of Satyricon, Marduk, Mayhem, Immortal, Dissection, and Rotting Christ, among others. You can find those Italian creatures on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their music on Spotify, and above all that, purchase their new album from the Masked Dead Records’ BandCamp or webstore as a CD or as a very special Cultores de Perdas e Linna CD + Unholy Impurity CD bundle. Sardinian folklore has always been a very interesting and vibrant topic, but let’s say Vultur definitely know how to spice it up considerably armed with their breathtaking Black Metal attack.

Best moments of the album: Su Frastimu, Cultores Lapides et Lignea and Umbras.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Masked Dead Records/Sulphur Music

Track listing
1. Su Frastimu 4:11
2. Eternu Trumentu 5:30
3. Su Spegu 3:53
4. Femina Mala 4:33
5. Arestis 2:25
6. Cultores Lapides et Lignea 5:20
7. Umbras 4:01
8. Nemini Parco 5:20

Band members
Nicola Fulgheri – vocals, lead guitars
Nicola Spaziani – guitars
Maristella Spanu – bass
Lorenzo Balia – drums

Guest musician
Federico Ruggiu – acoustic guitar and bass, effects