HELLIR is a relatively new Black Metal band from the USA. Their debut album was released in 2024 and titled “Wheel of Ghosts.” I believe this album is indeed a precursor to an upcoming release. It has four songs, and “Ishtar” is first. It begins with clean, smooth, and solemn tones, and a good deal of tension. You can feel the storm looming on the horizon. When the deluge happens, you are immediately struck by this not being the average Black Metal release. Some of the riffs have heavy, sharp ends…almost Djent like. The vocals are delivered two ways…traditional screams, and solemn cleans.

“Firespray” has a deeper and more cavernous sound, like peering into the sprawling, endless landscape of Hell itself. Progressive elements can also be found, mostly in the guitar riffs. The hole is so deep, it appears as a void of infinite mass. “Spiral” has another extremely weighted sound from the vocal screams and the heavy bottom end of guitar and bass. The bass notes are so low, they reverberate in your very soul. “Below” is the final offering, and it’s another somber and greatly weighted affair. It drips with sorrow, but also, rage. The two opposing forces walk together hand in hand, while the world burns behind them.

This isn’t your dad’s brand of Black Metal. It’s fresh, modern, and cuts against the grain. The Djenty riff accents bring a level of weight to the album that just doesn’t exist in most Black Metal circles, and if this is just a precursor, I can’t wait to hear what is next.