Laster | facebook | bandcamp |
Released on November 1, 2014 via Broken Limbs Recordings (tape)/Dunkelheit Produktionen (CD)
Finally, some new black metal that I can really get behind. Laster’s debut full length album De Verste Verte is Hier is 1 hour and 4 songs of powerful, dark black metal that really has true Dutch black metal roots with a twist.
Emotional breakdowns, gloomy guitar ripples in the background, and awesome drone parts that are even on the edge of melodic post-hardcore. What really engages me is the vocals. Ethereal screams that howl behind strong, fast drums that carry the music along. Again, the melodic guitar sounds are a unique touch that really brings the emotion to a whole new level. You get the metal you are looking for without the cheese, and add in a big heart felt break down. It’s pretty much genius if you ask me.
‘Ik – Mijn Masker’, the 3rd song is pretty powerful. I really like the guitars in this song. Fast and furious, they bring a high-pitched sound that changes the whole tempo of things. There is even a bit of a chant that sounds almost historic in its cadence-like shout. As the song is ending, it leaves you with a creepy echo of a piano that is done really well, but a bit on the depressing side.
The last song ‘De Verste Verte is Hier’ is almost dancy, if that’s what you’d call it. A great beat with lots of high hat and some soft singing. It’s definitely different than the other songs, but because of the dark gloom it brings, it fits on this album well.
I am excited that I was able to discover Laster. De Verste Verte is Hier is definitely a contender of mine for best black metal release of 2014.
This release is limited to 100 copies on solid dark blue shell cassettes through Broken Limbs. So get yours fast. Dunkelheit Produktionen will be handling the CD and vinyl release.
