There are bands using old Black Metal formulas of the 90's still today, and results are legions of musical that don't have a reason to exist, because are just copycatting anyone. And photocopying other bands, using the excuse is 'to give continuity' is a lie. But there are those who use their own personality to breathe life on what is eroded and to rewrite things as they want. Bands like DOWNCROSS, from Belarus, as can be heard on "Current Towards End", their latest release.

It's a four-song EP, showing a blackened and brutal form of traditional Black Metal, focused on vocals, guitars, bass guitar and drums. There are some bitter and melancholic melodic parts created by the guitars (as can be heard on "War Maiden of the Worlds"), but their focus is to get old Black Metal influences they gather and to make things on their own. They want to be themselves, and not anyone else, as their music shows. Rich in harsh arrangements, morbid and climatic on slower parts, with tons of heavy and aggressive energy, this EP is really great. The production team did a very good work, creating a sound quality that have that nasty and brutal impact that is already known, but with the insight of being clean and defined, because the band wants to be fully understood, after all. And it works in great shape, indeed.

"Where Veil of Flesh Will Tear" is brutal and mainly focused on speed (besides filled with some slow parts, where bass guitar and drums show their value, creating a heavy and worked rhythm). "War Maiden of the Worlds" has its violent appeal, but with a clear melodic embodiment, with very good slow parts (and the guitars are amazing in such melodic way). Focuses once more in brutality and speed, "Lord of the Dark Sun Force" shows very good contrasts when the tempos slow down and melodies appear (and these shrieked voices on low tunes are really great). And the climatic and morbid appeal of "Current Towards End" seduces the listener easily, thanks to the excellent atmospheric melodies.

DOWNCROSS really has potential to be a leading name in the Black Metal scene. It's just a matter of time, so listen to "Current Towards End" and hear for yourselves!