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PROFANE ELEGY “Herezjarcha”
PROFANE ELEGY “Herezjarcha”
By Lord Randall
“When All Is Nothing” blended the treble-heavy rush of black metal’s second wave with understandable yet snarling exhortations, a flirtation with the unpredictable, and a sense of economy that suited the duo that made up PROFANE ELEGY well. Now, 2 ½ years later, Mikael L. [vocals] and instrumentalist J. Gulick have taken a bassist and drummer into the fold and delivered unto us “Herezjarcha”.
A word first, then on to the music. Yes, you honkbrayers, I’m fully aware that it’s 2025, and that bands are oft inclined to release singles from upcoming albums via streaming platforms. I question, though, the decision to release six of the eight tunes here as singles prior to the album's release. It rather takes the sense of anticipation away, don’cha think? That unmatchable feeling of dropping the needle, pressing the Play button for the first time and not knowing what to expect?
That said, “Exeunt Omnes” thrashes ‘n’ bashes right out the gate, confirming that this expanded lineup was a smart move. The sense of the uncanny in the scales and patterns of J. Gulick are still present in abundance, and the rhythm section of David G. and Sean M. [bass, drums respectively] add a fullness to PROFANE ELEGY that wasn’t nearly as noticeable before. “Haunted” does nothing but ramp up the sense of urgency, though multilayered strings drag a drone just below the riffs and solos at times, granting another dimension.
The mighty MARDUK is conjured (think “Rom 5:12”) in “The Accuser” but, even so, clean vocals soaring occasionally above the gravel-gurgling rasp of Mikael L. and an instantly memorable bridge speak to a band who has hammered these songs long and hard in the heat of the forge in an attempt to craft something of merit. The string scraping riff at the start of “Immutable” quickly unfurls into gloriously vile CARPATHIAN FOREST territory, black, shining, and leathered throughout.
Which is why it’s such an utter mindfuck when “And Then We Are Gone” melds ALICE INCHAINS’ acoustic-based material with “Planet Caravan” into something supremely cared for, nurtured to the point of near-orchestration, fluid, flowing and spacebound, indeed. An album that deserves the title of “album”; a collection of snapshots of PROFANE ELEGY at this time, the arrangement and care put into “Herezjarcha” have delivered an iron-wrought, steel-sharp, and weighty weapon in the war to keep the fires of independent black metal burning brightly.
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