BRAN (CZ)
Odcházení

Bohemia's BRAN are a power-trio of ancient black metal might and majesty. To be sure, they exhibit the splendorous, spellbinding riff-sorcery so endemic to their country's black metal idiom, but instead of hypnotizing monochromaticism, BRAN's epic constructions are always unfolding, always blossoming with a strict sense of narrative flow, surprising and engaging at every turn. Indeed, their Odcházení debut is a march across rarefied lands, for not only does it retain palatably clear production, rendering their ruminations in their most powerful state, but there's a pronounced grounding in actual METAL here - but thankfully, without any goofy party posturing or "metal brotherhood" bollocks.

No, this is the sound of swords sharpened and chainmail donned, grim resolve as the battle approaches; BRAN see the struggle ahead, and they've created the bloodily majestic / majestically bloody map for it.