Why, why, why? Why I was not familiar with this band? OK, WITHERSHIN may not be very old as a band, they were formed in 2006, and they only have one full length album on their back, but, believe me, they do deserve your attention.

After listening to this EP I listened to their debut album "Ashen Banners" before staring writing this review. And I have to say that with "The Hungering Void" the band made a step forward. Who said that (true) Black Metal needs keyboards to make a rotten, evil, claustrophobic, nihilist, ... (put any other adjective you want) atmosphere? WITHERSHIN's music may not win an innovation award, probably this album is more in the "I heard that before" category, but I don't give a damn. For 15 minutes I've listened to well-played Black Metal, with nice riffing that sticks in your mind, vocals that are rotten enough and with nice timbre and a drummer that is fast but knows when he must play slower. Some bands that I can mention to get the picture, if you didn't get it until now, are: DARK FUNERAL, MARDUK, early DIMMU BORGIR and early ANAAL NATHRAKH (especially in the second track, which is probably my favorite one, too). The production is at high levels, since you can hear everything but without being crystal clear to ruin this EP.

Overall "Ashen Banners" is a great appetizer waiting for WITHERSHIN's next full length album. Black metallers and black-hearted Metal fans in general should listen to this quartet. Since it is only an EP (and for that reason and only)...