As everyone already knows, fusions between Metal genres between themselves is something common to happen, then some of these blends are widely know today. In the 90s, the fusion between Doom Metal and Doom Death Metal with Black Metal was achieved - and called Doom Black Metal or Blackened Doom Metal - and a whole new scenario to be painted was at hand. It’s not so usual to hear bands playing such ways. And “Broken Branches and Torn Roots”, the first full-length of the Polish quartet LOATHFINDER is really a surprising release on such path. Mixed and mastered by Step, the sonority of the album combines a funeral and rough sonority (with elements inherited from Black Metal, including the raw and lo fi instrumental tunes), but always having in mind that the songs must be understood by the hearers, so it’s a very good result, after all.

The art created by Mirella Jaworsk (cover) and Mold (layout) is really disturbing, fitting on what the band plays. As mentioned above, the work of the quartet is based on a way into Doom Black Metal or Blackened Doom Metal, with slower tempos, funereal and disturbing ambiences and many references to Old School Black Metal (there’s some moments when BATHORY’s influences are heard, especially having in mind “Under the Sign of the Black Mark” era), but some faster tempos appear as well (as heard on “Difference”, what depicts the band’s Black Metal vein) . The raw energy and disturbing appeal of the songs are features really amazing, and that entangle the fans as the first hearing.

Even with many cliches being heard, it’s clear the potential of the band when dealing with “Grey Pilgrimage”, “Difference”, “Peel It Off Me”, “Dead Dogs”, “Above the Water”, “Flies Know First” and “Broken Branches and To”, and we have in mind that this massive energy based on very good instrumental wall (with charming guitar riffs, solid and technical playing on bass guitar and drums) and with vocals shifting from shrieks to growls and agonizing voices is their first full-length, then things gain a special gleam. It’s not a sin to think of LOATHFINDER as a revelation, and that “Broken Branches and Torn Roots” is just a beginning of a promising career. It’s really excellent!