I have a feeling that after this release, the band Volcandra wont need much introducing in the future. Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, Volcandra have been hard at work recording their debut album filled to the brim with influences like Deafheaven, Behemoth and maybe a dash of The Infernal Sea. The band released their bleak debut, Into the Azure, on February 28th, 2020. With my love for blackened death metal, and album art from the incredible Adam Burke (Eternal Champion, Lady Beast), I was drawn to this release faster than you can figure out how to pronounce Sanguisugabogg.
The vocal stylings from Dave Palenske are bleaker than how 2020 is shaping up to be (I'm not sorry). The atmosphere presented by River Jordan and Jamie Demar is hellish and beautiful at the same time, with plenty of traditional black metal riffage that gets entwined with bits of prog and thrash. Laying down the bottom on bass is Dyer Keathley, who adds a wonderful depth that isn't always very present on black metal recordings. Mike Hargrave champions the drums, blasting out beats faster than should be possible, quickly switching it up for a solid driving beat that makes you want to give yourself neck problems from headbanging too hard.
It's somewhat barren in instances, but what Volcandra does with the atmosphere is what makes this debut fantastic. The concinnity of the album is very pleasing, and I'd say any fan of modern black metal or death metal should jump on this record. Check out track five, Fringe of the Earth, in the video below.
I'm giving Into the Azure a 8.5/10.
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