REVIEW: OGEN - Black Metal Unbound

 

OGEN - Black Metal Unbound (2011)

Kolony Records

I don't think I need to tell you which musical direction this band has chosen to follow... I mean, just by reading the album's title, everything becomes apparent and crystal clear! Now, all we need to do is take a closer look at the particular black metal approach OGEN have adopted.

Hailing from Italy, OGEN is a sole-creator project, with multi-instrumentalist Hartagga handling all songwriting and instrumentation with the sole exception of the drums. Following a traditional black metal path, the project draws heavily on the primitive, old-school Norwegian sound, defined by frozen riffs, gloomy atmospheric textures, and a raw approach to songwriting. However, there is more than one side to Black Metal Unbound, as the record also incorporates dark melodic threads, occasional symphonic accents, and an overall blackened aura that deeply permeates the compositions.

The tempos are predominantly fast, driven by relentless blast beats, though well-placed mid-tempo passages occasionally step in to provide a welcome change of pace. Both the production values and artistic direction remain steadfastly committed to the genre's classic roots, staying true to traditional sensibilities without straying too far from established boundaries.

To wrap it all up, this is a release tailored for purists of old-fashioned black metal, offering just enough melodic and atmospheric nuance to provide variety without ever compromising its fundamental character.

Christine  Parastatidou