WATASHI DAKE, which translates to "only me" or "just myself", is an experimental black metal project hailing from the depths of Transylvania, Romania. Combining the cold atmosphere of the homeland with improvisation, psychedelic passages, and philosophical lyrics, the project was founded by R.S. in 2020. In alliance with Inferna Profundus Records, "Feral" is the first offering of WATASHI DAKE. The demo contains two songs, as well as a bonus cover track, composed and recorded in the summer of 2020. While speaking of failure, freedom, and struggle, "Feral" is first and foremost a call to rebellion against the chains that imprison our true nature.

"Feral 1" leads off the album. It opens with a fast pace, and the guitars creating that one-step, two-step pattern of Black Metal. The vocal screams echo, and it sounds like it comes from the bottom of a canyon somewhere. It takes a dark and sinister turn, and then some noises come into play. At this point, the song does indeed sound feral. An occasional guitar and bass note, and an occasional drum/cymbal strike occupies the middle section of the song, then the original sound returns.

"Feral 2" is over seven-minutes in length. This first couple minutes of this song are much deeper and darker. But then the sound from the first song returns. It's not bad, it's just not winning any points for originality. I can appreciate the connection with the description written above, and it is a bit different in nature than other Black Metal bands. It's not afraid of a bit of experimentation. They really go for it after the half-way mark, with a bevy of various and odd sounds mixed in.

The DEAD KENNEDYS cover is really quite different than the original. It took me a few minutes to gain my bearings, as it's just vocal screams over a guitar riff that does not sound like the original at all. If you didn't know any better, I don't think you would know what you are listening to. Overall, it's a pass for me. It really doesn't bring anything additional to the table when it comes to the genre. Too many bands try too hard to find that "True Kvlt" Black Metal sound, that they are too afraid of moving away from. It's 2020...time to let that old school Black Metal die out and come up with your own take on the genre.https://watashidake.bandcamp.com/releases