ARS GOATIA is an Austrian black metal band who formed in 2021; 'Hiding Amongst Humans' is their debut album.  I prefer my black metal more atmospheric or melodic but that doesn't mean that I don't appreciate the more atmo stuff-sometimes I just want to rage it out.  'Hiding Amongst Humans,' is definitely firmly planted in the 'raging out' category.  At just thirty one minutes in length across seven tracks, this is a blistering ride that wastes no time in delivering face melting black metal.  Riff based and with a powerful rhythm section, this album is a constant banger. With that being said, the best songs on the album are the three longer ones because they give them band plenty of time and structure to reveal that even bestial black metal can contain just enough depth to keep it interesting. These songs are more atmospheric and melodic and those elements do well with their more necro sound.

The first of these tracks is, 'Tongues Orifice Fire,' which acts as a fantastic introduction to the album.  The drums hammer away while complimenting the ferocious riffs, which have a perfectly balanced tone.  The middle portion is slightly more melodic with clean vocals that are as arcane and potent as the blackened ones. The next track is 'When Heresy Repeats Itself.' That slow intro speaks to the doom fan in me and the guitar tone is just crushing.  I love how the song is slower paced but steadily builds up intensity as it reaches the chaotic ends.  This song is a descent into hell and the best track on the album. The final of the three longest tracks is 'Tyrant of All Men,' and the guitars are used impressively to build up the atmosphere.  The drums aren't all speed, as they throw in small sections of groove here and there to keep the song flowing to the surprisingly atmospheric mid section.

Unfortunately, the other songs don't do much for me.  They aren't bad but they just don't reach the height of the previously mentioned three.  One of these songs, 'Rumours Of The  Southern Peak,' is nothing more than filler and, honestly, it kills the flow of the album. All in all, this is screaming, brutal black metal but aside from the three longer songs, it doesn't really remain all that interesting to me.  If they can flesh out their sound more and incorporate some more elements, I could see myself enjoying their next album more.