From Bandcamp, "From the peaks of Aosta Valley, URUS forges a sound built on raw black metal and heavy sludge, inspired by the extinct European aurochs. Exploring the friction between ancient strength and modern decay, the trio's debut album "IV" marks a relentless journey through the stages of human life, reflecting the untamed nature of the beast that gave them their name." The album comes in four movements, and "I. Awakening" is first. It rolls forward on a bed of fast moving drums and the riffs are lodged somewhere between aggression and despair. There is also a measure of melody, though it is stern and solemn, as well as some ambient and thoughtful passages that give you space to ponder. "II. Remembrance" has both a thick, weighted sound, and melodies that push through the cracks. There are also some great keyboards mixed in with the madness, and they keep the song from careening off a cliff and diving headfirst into the abyss.

"III. Discernment" starts slow with a building anticipation, like a river that's going to swell from the rains that occurred just moments ago. When it kicks in, it's like a swift punch to the head that you can get away with. The clean vocals are a bit of a surprise, and they really help to temper some of the fierce aggression. The piano notes at the end is like the icing on the cake. "IV. Disintegration" closes the album, and it begins with a cool down of clean, melodic guitar work with clean vocals and a touch of keys. It presents a whole different side of the band. "Snow burns my eyes, and I wonder why. The sun feels cold, and I can't own my time, as I fade away." The clean vocals are loaded with emotion that overflows and drips down your face like tears.

This was a fantastic album. It wasn't just raw aggression, though there was plenty of that, it was their use of space, combined with ambient and melodic passages at times. Although it was only four tracks long, it will leave an indelible impression in your brain that you won't soon forget.