From Bandcamp, “With “Yetzer Hara”, LOTAN unleash a searing new chapter of blackened death metal - furious, unrelenting, and razor-sharp in its intent. Forged in the fires of Denmark’s extreme metal underground, LOTAN deliver a blistering fusion of blackened death metal and social defiance. The band blends nihilism and aggression with a confrontational critique of modern decay. “Yetzer Hara” is not just an album: it is a reckoning. Drawing from the biblical tale of Cain and Abel, LOTAN delve into the destructive urges that define humanity’s fall from grace, invoking themes of internal conflict, moral collapse, and primal violence.”

The album has eight songs, and “Minewerfer” is first. A slow, low, and heavy riff comes out of the gate, with vocals that bite like a coiled viper. For me, it’s the perfect combination of Death Metal and Black Metal, and the background is filled with thick branches. “Scorched Tyranny” is a firm and deeply aggressive song, and the band plows their craft through every barrier like a snowblower on steroids. The riffs aren’t complicated, but the band plays them with confidence and authority, and it helps the sound to sink in hard. “Crown of Rope” is another contentious sound, and the band shows no sign of slowing down, or releasing the pressure on the gas pedal. There is just a bit of melody sprinkled in here and there, but they come with hopeless feelings.

“Incantation of Hatred” hears things slow down a bit, so you can catch your breath, but just for a moment. The riff comes plowing in like Cerberus taken off his leash and you can really start to hear some of the nihilistic themes the band has. “Heksenat” is another take-no-prisoners sound, and the band seems to have a singular mission: to blast your head clean off your body and burn it to ash. Again, the riffs are simple, but they are also stomp worthy. “Violent End” might be a warning sign for society if we don’t shape up and take care of each other and the earth. Then again, we won’t, so this violent end is what I expect. “Righteous Fury” closes the album, and it’s another ball of fury, and gasoline accelerated fires.

This album is deep, dark, and confidently performed, and the message they deliver is akin to the fall of humanity. Don’t enter into this listening experience lightly, because it will shake you up, disrobe you, and leave you bloody and battered by the end.