Review by Felix on September 10, 2019.

Serbian black metal seems to be a challenging kind of music. The Stone always create dark and almost impenetrable monuments, but the unfortunately less known Zloslut do not need to fear comparison with their national role models. Sahar attacks with seven songs with an average length of more than seven minutes. Sometimes this configuration makes it hard to enjoy an album, because our fast-food-minds do not understand why it takes so long to come to an end. But Zloslut seem to be aware of this fact and that's why they connect slightly dissonant, abyssal sections with relatively smoothly flowing parts. Both components have one thing in common, they do not lack vehemence. Given this situation, already the opener scores with its various facets. Enjoy its morbid introduction, the slowly growing heaviness or the first rapid leads that guide us straight to hell. And by the way, the opener's title "Collapsing of Cardinality and the Rising of Absolute" seems to reflect the length of nine minutes... In particular the lead vocalist uses different approaches and expresses pure darkness. He even intersperses an "ugh", but naturally the class of Tom Warriors elemental cries remains untouched. The only regrettable thing about the opener is its unimaginative end, it just fades out.

Zloslut stand with both feet on the scorched ground of the black metal territory, but they also have a mostly well-hidden affinity for thrash. Occasionally it shimmers through, for example at the beginning of "The Quest". Nevertheless, the unholy aura of the track leaves no doubt that this is still a conjuration of evil. The band spins a very dense web of negative emotions. It does not offer the Burzum-esque meditative or hypnotic sequences that rely on endless yet fascinating repetition. Nevertheless, sometimes it feels as if the group wants to deliver the soundtrack that helps the listener to fall into a kind of trance. However, I prefer the more raging parts which have an almost mind-bending effect whenever the dudes reach their top form.

Production-wise, the album meets the international standards with great ease. Sahar sounds voluminous, vigorous and does not lack pressure. Unlike some other productions of the sub-genre, it does not get blurred when it comes to fast eruptions. Given this situation, the unconventionally designed tracks can reveal their full aroma. Okay, I cannot say that each and every song makes my day. Yet there is more than enough substance in the seven pieces, a pulsating heart that beats for the glory of the dark arts. And this kind of pretty complex black metal is still a rather young style. One cannot speak of an innovative approach, because The Stone play this kind of music already since some years - but the Norwegian godfathers of the second wave did not perform such interwoven songs, that much is certain. Additionally, there are no doubts that Zloslut still have room to improve. Some meandering parts should be erased in order to make the songs more compact and a tinge of catchiness would also be a fine idea. However, if you like your black metal raw, sinister and authentic, Sahar is a good choice for the next intensive listening session.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by Felix on September 10, 2019.

Serbian black metal seems to be a challenging kind of music. The Stone always create dark and almost impenetrable monuments, but the unfortunately less known Zloslut do not need to fear comparison with their national role models. Sahar attacks with seven songs with an average length of more than seven minutes. Sometimes this configuration makes it hard to enjoy an album, because our fast-food-minds do not understand why it takes so long to come to an end. But Zloslut seem to be aware of this fact and that's why they connect slightly dissonant, abyssal sections with relatively smoothly flowing parts. Both components have one thing in common, they do not lack vehemence. Given this situation, already the opener scores with its various facets. Enjoy its morbid introduction, the slowly growing heaviness or the first rapid leads that guide us straight to hell. And by the way, the opener's title "Collapsing of Cardinality and the Rising of Absolute" seems to reflect the length of nine minutes... In particular the lead vocalist uses different approaches and expresses pure darkness. He even intersperses an "ugh", but naturally the class of Tom Warriors elemental cries remains untouched. The only regrettable thing about the opener is its unimaginative end, it just fades out.

Zloslut stand with both feet on the scorched ground of the black metal territory, but they also have a mostly well-hidden affinity for thrash. Occasionally it shimmers through, for example at the beginning of "The Quest". Nevertheless, the unholy aura of the track leaves no doubt that this is still a conjuration of evil. The band spins a very dense web of negative emotions. It does not offer the Burzum-esque meditative or hypnotic sequences that rely on endless yet fascinating repetition. Nevertheless, sometimes it feels as if the group wants to deliver the soundtrack that helps the listener to fall into a kind of trance. However, I prefer the more raging parts which have an almost mind-bending effect whenever the dudes reach their top form.

Production-wise, the album meets the international standards with great ease. Sahar sounds voluminous, vigorous and does not lack pressure. Unlike some other productions of the sub-genre, it does not get blurred when it comes to fast eruptions. Given this situation, the unconventionally designed tracks can reveal their full aroma. Okay, I cannot say that each and every song makes my day. Yet there is more than enough substance in the seven pieces, a pulsating heart that beats for the glory of the dark arts. And this kind of pretty complex black metal is still a rather young style. One cannot speak of an innovative approach, because The Stone play this kind of music already since some years - but the Norwegian godfathers of the second wave did not perform such interwoven songs, that much is certain. Additionally, there are no doubts that Zloslut still have room to improve. Some meandering parts should be erased in order to make the songs more compact and a tinge of catchiness would also be a fine idea. However, if you like your black metal raw, sinister and authentic, Sahar is a good choice for the next intensive listening session.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by Felix on September 10, 2019.

Serbian black metal seems to be a challenging kind of music. The Stone always create dark and almost impenetrable monuments, but the unfortunately less known Zloslut do not need to fear comparison with their national role models. Sahar attacks with seven songs with an average length of more than seven minutes. Sometimes this configuration makes it hard to enjoy an album, because our fast-food-minds do not understand why it takes so long to come to an end. But Zloslut seem to be aware of this fact and that's why they connect slightly dissonant, abyssal sections with relatively smoothly flowing parts. Both components have one thing in common, they do not lack vehemence. Given this situation, already the opener scores with its various facets. Enjoy its morbid introduction, the slowly growing heaviness or the first rapid leads that guide us straight to hell. And by the way, the opener's title "Collapsing of Cardinality and the Rising of Absolute" seems to reflect the length of nine minutes... In particular the lead vocalist uses different approaches and expresses pure darkness. He even intersperses an "ugh", but naturally the class of Tom Warriors elemental cries remains untouched. The only regrettable thing about the opener is its unimaginative end, it just fades out.

Zloslut stand with both feet on the scorched ground of the black metal territory, but they also have a mostly well-hidden affinity for thrash. Occasionally it shimmers through, for example at the beginning of "The Quest". Nevertheless, the unholy aura of the track leaves no doubt that this is still a conjuration of evil. The band spins a very dense web of negative emotions. It does not offer the Burzum-esque meditative or hypnotic sequences that rely on endless yet fascinating repetition. Nevertheless, sometimes it feels as if the group wants to deliver the soundtrack that helps the listener to fall into a kind of trance. However, I prefer the more raging parts which have an almost mind-bending effect whenever the dudes reach their top form.

Production-wise, the album meets the international standards with great ease. Sahar sounds voluminous, vigorous and does not lack pressure. Unlike some other productions of the sub-genre, it does not get blurred when it comes to fast eruptions. Given this situation, the unconventionally designed tracks can reveal their full aroma. Okay, I cannot say that each and every song makes my day. Yet there is more than enough substance in the seven pieces, a pulsating heart that beats for the glory of the dark arts. And this kind of pretty complex black metal is still a rather young style. One cannot speak of an innovative approach, because The Stone play this kind of music already since some years - but the Norwegian godfathers of the second wave did not perform such interwoven songs, that much is certain. Additionally, there are no doubts that Zloslut still have room to improve. Some meandering parts should be erased in order to make the songs more compact and a tinge of catchiness would also be a fine idea. However, if you like your black metal raw, sinister and authentic, Sahar is a good choice for the next intensive listening session.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by Alex on February 4, 2021.

Unter Dem Banner Der Toten was a relatively good introduction to Grabunhold. The EP promised greater things to follow suit from the band thus in the presence of their 1st full length album Heldentod, the initial formula that made their prior effort so effective has once again been utilized only now with more potency. Thus it would be fair to say that Heldentod is well above the standard set on Unter Dem Banner Der Toten.

I had already adored the work done by label-mate Hulder with her debut that falls within the same path as Heldentod musically, however Grabunhold managed to execute their formula more to my liking on this album. When tackling the task of mixing ambient solos with black metal it can often be quite challenging, if not, tedious in some instances but Grabunhold made it all seem like second nature. The ambient installments do not appear to be just thrown-in for no particular reason, instead, they appear to elaborate more and give added definition to the actual black metal tracks. Also there's a frequenting romance occurring between melancholy and mysticism that adds to the dynamic nature of the material. And strangely, there is a sense of ease and tranquility despite the ruthlessness of some tracks. The atmosphere could be unpredictable at times but always falls in line with something the listener will appreciate, hence there is no random absurdity occuring on the record. They are sweet passages of sadness, 2nd wave Scandinavian black metal testosterone, folky/pagan chanting and singing, mid paced tempos that suddenly launch into a pummeling cvlt black attack and the guitar+drum work is phenomenal through and through.

At first listen I was under the impression there was something missing and indeed there was, it just turned out that missing "something" was me not playing it loud enough. It truly is a treat to the senses when you blast Heldentod on 10+ volume settings. All that rich sound thanks to the fantastic mastering and mixing pokes out at you like an anteater's mouth and you can't help but to get swallowed by the immersion displayed on this record. You will find yourself repeating the record to the point of learning and loving the instrumental passages in particular which help to tell a story instead of just play from point a to b.

Heldentod is quite an improvement over the previous entry put out by Grabunhold, which was not a bad album but I don't think anyone predicted the band's next effort to be this much of a testament to bravado. That says alot about the work ethic. No songs mentioned here because it's one of those albums that you need to hear in its entirety to grasp the grandeur eclipsed on Heldentod.

Another strong entry for Grabunhold and the Iron Bonehead dominion that remains highly coveted and envied within the chambers of underground black metal.

Rating: 9.2 out of 10