The mix between Death Metal and Black Metal is far different from the common conception ‘Death Metal music + satanic lyrics’, because limits are for fools. And no one needs to follow the same path that one created. If there’s a ‘virgin’ space left, use it, do things as you want, and let’s hear what will be of it. That seems to be the driving thought behind what the Brazilian quintet THE HOST, from Minas Gerais, creates. Here at hands, two of their Singles, “Blasphemare MMXXIII” and “The Origin Through the Void”.

The main reason to write about two Singles in the same review is simples: to speak about the band’s evolution (and to spare some time). The quintet creates an explosive and aggressive trench into Black/Death Metal for itself, gathering elements from both genres. It’s brutal and oppressive as a Death Metal act, but filled with charming eerie ambiences inherited from Black Metal from the 90s. It can sound as a blend of influences of MORBID ANGEL, DEICIDE, MONSTROSITY and others with ROTTING CHRIST, MARDUK, MAYHEM and others, but filled with an identity and massive doses of energy. And it’s really great what they create.

The sonority between both Singles does not differ one from the other in the main sense, so it can be said as something that bears the aggressive and brutal aspects of Death metal with some instrumental tunes from Black Metal, and it’s really excellent, because it’s not hard to understand what the band expresses on both songs. And the artworks created by the singer W.A.R. are darkened beautiful and somber. And on “The Origin of the Void”, the band had as guests A. Damien on the rhythm guitars, Pedro Duarte on both rhythm and lead guitars, and Marcella Meguria on the female vocals and choirs.

On “Blasphemare MMXXIII” the fans will deal with a brutal and aggressive song with some sinister parts, but in a more Death Metal shape. It’s an old song that they composed back on 2009 and was released as a demo song, and it’s filled with cutting-edge guitars and excellent rhythm conductions from bass guitar and drums. On the other hand, “The Origin Through the Void” (that will be on their forthcoming first full-length, “Ars Tenebrarum”) shows the band using eerie melodies and female chants and choirs contrasting with the death growls and snarls, with excellent rhythmic shifts and massive guitars (and what great keyboards parts), and using lyrics based on the philosophical ideas of Friedrich Nietzsche. It’s not a sin to say that the band evolved a lot between the writing of both songs.

For now, to listen to “Blasphemare MMXXIII” and “The Origin Through the Void” is a fine opportunity to hear and know THE HOST’s music, and it’s hard to wait until the coming of “Ars Tenebrarum”).

And you can hear both Singles at the band’s Bandcamp:

https://thehost.bandcamp.com/