VOKODLOK is a Black Metal band hailing from Romania. From their EPK, “hearing the call of damnation, four rebellious spirits, influenced by unholy music, joined the dark forces to be part of the underground and formed the band in 2000.” The album has nine songs, and “The Human” is first. The opening tones are low, heavy, speedy, and punishing, and the vocals are filthy mean, with a dangerous rasp. There are some melodic elements as well, especially in the lead guitar work, but the dark nature of the song blots them out. “Warzone” is equally as brutal, with drums running in quad time and deadly harsh vocals. The lead guitar work has some melody once again, and the riffs are a combination of Thrash and Death Metal.

“Disdain” is a pedal to the metal, balls to the wall firey ball of energy. The riff and drums moves forward in unison, creating a wall of sound that is hard to pierce. “Bestiarium” is slower and more poisonous. The tones soak in slower, and the riff is ever moving, keeping the listener on their toes. The drums are firing so fast, they sound like a machine gun. “jagh ‘lw vlpoQ” is darker and deeper, more angled in its attack, and the vocals are guttural and filthy. The main riff also moves with a swing of sorts, like someone brought back from the dead deciding to dance. “Denizen” is a short, two-minute blast of fire that leaves a trail of smoke behind, and the vocals have a distinct cadence to them.

“The Faces Within” features more inventive riffing, and that’s a constant on the album. Just when you think they have settles on a sound, they change it up. “The Monster” closes the album, and that’s exactly what the song is…a monster. It roars with thrashy riffs and ominous tones, and the acoustic slow down to close the song signifies the end of the world. Overall, this was an enjoyable amalgam of Death, Black, and Thrash Metal that has a nice balance between the three. The band is talented, and has a no-nonsense approach to their songwriting, letting it all hang out for the listener. This music is as black as Satan’s very soul.