Translated as "hatred" in Gaelic, FUATH is the Atmospheric Black Metal offshoot of SAOR's Andy Marshall. Taking inspiration from arguably Black Metal's most fertile and explosive period - the early to mid-1990s - the music channels the unrelenting tenor and iciness of forebears BURZUM, DARKTHRONE and MAYHEM. Originally slated as a one-off project after the release of 2016's I, Marshall has decided to turn FUATH into a serious project. Early 2021 will see the release of the band's second album, "II," via Season of Mist's Underground Activists sub-label. The album contains five tracks.

"Prophecies" opens the album. It's close to ten minutes in length, opening with a full on Black Metal sound. All of the traditional elements are there...the wall of sound, the shrieking vocals, and the thunderous drumming. It takes a light pause around the half-way mark, then finishes with a long fade-out. "The Pyre" opens with more of that traditional Black Metal sound, with a touch of melody in the guitars. It begins to build towards the half-way mark, with thunderous drumming and then the final minute is harrowing atmosphere.

"Into the Forest of Shadows" also opens with a full and thick Black Metal sound. At this point, the tracks are starting to run together a bit. Again, the lead guitars provide just a snippet of melody, but overall this is a fairly straightforward listening experience. The ambient passage after the half-way mark is nice, but the chaos ensues shortly thereafter. "Essence" opens in much the same manner. Five tracks so far and they are nearly identical. It rolls forward, until the final two minutes, where it slows a bit to let the evil soak in.

"Endless Winter" is more of the same...a thick and heavy Black Metal blueprint that Andy does not stray from at all. Cold, blowing winds close the song...an aptly titled track. I am just a bit surprised here. Season of Mist is a big record label, and usually has unique artists to offer. I wonder why they would take on a band like this, where every song sounds the same, and where the traditional FWOBM sounds abound. Unless you are a hardcore Black Metal traditionalist, I would say not to waste your time here.