Review STRIGOI ‘Bathed in a Black Sun’

The musical spectrum of guitarist Greg Mackintosh is diversified. On the one hand, there is the central mosaic piece called Paradise Lost, with which Mackintosh enjoyed and celebrates his greatest successes. Next to it is Host, a project in which the guitarist, together with Nick Holmes, gives free rein to the influences of the 90s electro sound. And then there is Strigoi. Mackintosh has already released two longplayers with the latter band, and a new EP, ‘Bathed in the Black Sun’, is being released these days.

Musically Strigoi still operates somewhere between death metal, sludge and crust.

Mostly held in a moderate to slow tempo, each of the five songs immediately grinds its way into the auditory canals of the listeners. Strigoi manage to provide extreme metal with a very entertaining and varied touch, which is already positively noticeable in the title track. The song has an extreme punch and causes real goosebumps with its dystopian vibe.

‘The Grotesque’ is shorter and faster. The band pushes a bit more on the gas pedal, which is good for the anarchic overall mood and to top it all off, ‘Beautiful Stigmata’ is the next climax.

After this speed rush the EP becomes more moderate again with the groovy ‘A Spear of Perfect Grief’, without neglecting the basic aggressiveness. However, with all the furiousness and variety, Strigoi never lose the common thread, which gives the release a good flow.

‘The Construct of Misery’ is the last song on this EP and combines groove and power. Almost Slayer-like howling leads and a massive groove characterize the first part of the song, before an extreme tempo shift heralds the final third of this monsterous song.

‘Bathed in a Black Sun’ is a well done EP, which shows that Strigoi belong to the masters of the trade. Free of expectations and pressure, these guys go to work and these five songs, which, by the way, originate from the ‘Viscera’ session, show once again that Strigoi are a force to be reckoned with.