Unlike Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish Black Metal schools, German Black Metal School lay into the underground in a way that seems to be ideological: the refusal for increasing its public and making its musical efforts known. For those who read the book “Lords of Chaos” will have a deeper understanding of the reasons for it, but it’s a pity that names as MEMBARIS are hidden from a broader set of fans. “Black Plasma Armour”, their sixth full-length, is truly a great release of the genre. Recorded, mixed and mastered in 2023 & 2024 at Klangkerker studios by N.W. and the band, the idea for the album’s sound quality was to gather the old elements of the past for sonorities and bring them a modern and defined outfit.

All works as needed, and everything can be understood without problems. As guest, the piano’s parts are played by Tanja S. The artwork is a creation of Stefan for Khaos Diktator Design, showing that it’s a Black Metal release. The band works on a trench that recovers the elements from Old School Black Metal of the 90s, but always guided by a personal insight on the genre, what means that the quartet refuses to follow models and to copy anyone. Their music is somber, aggressive and burns with aggressiveness, but can be darkened and atmospheric as well (pay attention on “Black Plasma Armour” to have a taste of what these words means), and it’s impossible for a fan of the genre to resist it.

“Black Plasma Armour” (excellent contrasts between fast and climatic parts, with excellent bass guitar and drums presences on the rhythms), “Threshold of a Dystopia” (that follows the same tendency of the previous, but based on sets of excellent guitar riffs and arrangements), “SIGIL II (Star Ritual)” (some excellent darkened melodies are heard on this one, with excellent aggressive clean tunes of the vocals), “N.O.V.A.” (pay attention to the charming rhythmic contrasts between aggressive moments and introspective parts with charming pianos), “Poet of Fire” and “Onwards to the Last Blink of Reason” are songs that will force Black Metal fans to open space on their collections for the quartet, and are as addictive and sick as the genre demands.

MEMBARIS is really a very good band, and “Black Plasma Armour” surely can be what many Black Metal fans are looking for.