Black Holocaust (Self Released)

 Black Holocaust is an Italian entity formed in 2003 by Tesin and Destroyer, who, as a two-members band, released a single track demo called “River Of Tears” in 2003 and lately the same year, a full demo called “Suffering”. “Black Holocaust” is the band’s third work and first one including a third member, now, with Ruben behind the drums, the band delivers here an interesting three tracks demo. The opening track, “Still Life …Endless” is an eclectic and mysterious 12 minutes piece of, what I would like to call, Atmospheric Dark/Black Metal, the only indisputably Black Metal element here is definitely the vocal work; Destroyer uses a high toned, grim and ripping style during the entire song, which interestingly contrast with the soothing musical backdrop, where the acoustic guitars, occasionally complemented by blurry riffs, are accompanied by a cadent Doom Metal styled drumming. The final four minutes of this piece, even reminded me of the sound of the latest Anathema albums, with some tranquil, atmospheric rocking guitar lines over a solid and cadent drum-based structure… Then “Rain” comes, with the straightest Black Metal inspired piece of the entire demo, maintaining its characteristical Doom Metal styled drumming, but this time including some up-tempo parts. The guitar work is definitely rawer than at the previous track, but maintains some of intense atmospheric lines that, mixed with the cruder drumming and the infernal vocals results in a really gloomy and gosthly song. “Rain” also shows a really varied composition, ranging from blast beat driven parts to mid paced atmospheric passages, always into the Dark/Black Metal parameters… Closing this demo is “L.D. ...ricordi” an entirely instrumental acoustic sorrowful three minutes piece, that perfectly closes the gosthly and mysterious aura that surrounds this demo… “Black Holocaust” is a really interesting demo, showing an obscure and original musical proposal especially recommendable for the most atmospheric side of the Doom/Black Metal audience. (AP)