Italian black metal band Heruka manage to sound fresh when they mix both modern and archaic vibes. And now there's more: 'No Sun Dared Pass Our Windows' is the band's second full-length album within two years, and they also released an EP last year, so they are striking while the iron is hot!

While the band tackled the theme of dying and death on the 2019 EP 'Turning to Dust', now it's time for madness, from mentally deranged persons' points of view. Just like the previous EP, this album is unnerving, eerie and evil.

Songs can be attacking, filled with violent and blasphemous tremolo riffs, but also include some weirder passages that lift up the mad vibes. Earthy, often melancholic-coloured riffs are also abound. The melodic weaving appears to be very characteristic for the band, and it is not easy to pick any similar-sounding bands here; delightfully harmonious they can be at times. Heruka weren't afraid to mix all these elements in a song. While it can get rather reckless, which is totally okay when carrying this lyrical theme, it can be said to be avant-garde and unorthodox, maybe too much so for those who want their black metal anything else like that. The catchiness-factor is high for sure, despite all the quirkiness happening pretty often, but song-writing does not follow basic rock/pop styles. The band have both Scandinavian coldness and freshness, and Mediterranean warmth in their music. Sometimes almost folky (not far from Borknagar; see, I could bring up one name at least!), or malevolent, or peculiar in its essence, the craft is competent.

While it is quite raw, the production is more clear and balanced than labyrinthine. Every instrument is finely heard as well as all the nuances that are crammed in; there certainly is loads of them. While there is one guitarist, there are many parts that have two guitar tracks creating harmonies. The rhythm section is fabulous: The bass guitarist must have been influenced by Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, so adventurous it is, and the drumming offers anything from insanely fast blast-beating to slower beats, which also can be very busy despite lowered tempos. The vocals are mostly about raspy and meaty throat delivery, and there are some clean ones, at times spoken, stuff spicing it.

'No Sun Dared Pass Our Windows' does not give its everything out in first several spins. It is adventurous, layered and still catchy experience in all. If unorthodox black metal is for your taste, I can firmly suggest you to check out this band and this album. Frighteningly addictive.

Rating: 8 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
11/15/2020 18:21