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OLDOWAN GASH “1000 Dreams of War”
OLDOWAN GASH “1000 Dreams of War”
By Dr. Abner Mality
What an interesting name for a band! I looked up “Oldowan” and found out that it refers to the earliest known tool-making culture, one that existed well over a million years ago. I’m sure the name has some deep significance to Forlorn Spirit, the man behind OLDOWAN GASH, but I can’t grasp it. What I can grasp is that this is one of the better black metal albums you will hear in 2026.
The class and power are evident immediately. “Catechism of Shame Part 1” lashes out with speed and fury, but there is a certain elegance to the riffs and structure that sinks in. I am reminded a bit of Finland’s masterful HAVUKRUUNU, who I hold in high regard. The music comes by its intensity naturally, it doesn’t seem to be overthought or pretentious. The title track is a great example of how potent OLDOWAN GASH is…it effortlessly rolls along with a war-like feel, but there is a kind of pride and sadness to it. Forlorn Spirit’s vocals are full of anguish…the man sounds like he’s consumed by grief, but ready to strike back instead of curling into a foetal shape. Very harsh, but subtle…a statement you could make about OLDOWAN GASH in general.
“Brides of Orlok” is a shorter and more ominous tune, full of foreboding. I do feel that the spoken word section at the end takes a lot of the sting out of it. “Catechism of Shame Part 2 (Word Of Magic) is a longer epic and an album highlight…some absolutely blistering black metal riffs are here. The album ends with the 14 minute plus “Fighting Forever” and here I think Forlorn Spirit stumbles a bit. The song is a slower, despairing dirge, with a vague bluesy kind of feel to it that reminds me a little of NACHTMYSTIUM, but 14 minutes is just too long. Spirit’s tones are agonizing, but not enough to sustain something this big. I don’t think he needs a giant epic to transmit feelings of hopelessness.
Not a cheerful listen, but a generally intense and interesting one, “1000 Dreams of War” should appeal to most black metal fans and I really look forward to further treks into misery from OLDOWAN GASH.
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