31 Oct 2021

EP review: Orv – A Crowning of Misery (2021)


Orv – A Crowning of Misery

Hungary

Independent


Orv from Budapest plays an interesting style of black metal that sounds more or less modern thanks to a rather clear production, although the production does not sound plastic in any sense. This release is their debut EP and contains 4 tracks that last 20 minutes in total. The band's sound is quite fresh, but also retains that fundamental essence idiomatic to black metal. The band manages to evoke a rather compelling atmosphere that draws the listener in. The riffing is par excellent and you can hear that the band is still finding their feet, although there are clear signs of innovation. The vocals are typically raspy, but perfectly balanced in the mix. There is a certain morbid aura to "A Crowning of Misery" and it does not come across as superficial either. The music is full of emotion and exudes an apocalyptic atmosphere drenched in blackness. Admittedly, the music on this EP is pretty excessive, and while that can be a bad thing in some cases, it does not detract from the quality of the music. According to the band, the lyrics are about the self-indulgent tyrannical nature of man and his journey from ascension to self-sufficiency to the inevitable decline. All in all, If you're on the lookout for some good underground black metal with melodic sensibilities, then Orv from Hungary is the right band for you. (HT)