Album Review: Sad – Black Metal Craft (Purity Through Fire)

Purity Through Fire proudly presents the highly anticipated eighth album of Greece’s Sad, Black Metal Craft, on CD, A5 digipack, and vinyl LP formats on December 23rd, 2023.

The two-piece that is Sad have been making horrible noises since 2005 and have drawn from the bleakest and coldest side of black metal over seven previous albums and continue to deliver that unforgiving sound here too. Black Metal Craft is an apt title as it showcases a band at the height of their black metal powers. Experts in their craft and near untouchable when it comes to leaving a dark impression.

The freezing winds are blowing strongly from the start, and they only get stronger as the album progresses. Partially because Sad’s version of black metal is unrepenting in its old-school approach and partially because each is a mammoth offering. Peaks and valleys, highs and lows, all with a frigid feel that cuts right through to the bone. Each and every track makes a case for being harsher and heavier than the last. Although that might be because Sad beat the senses into the ground.

Black metal fans of old, rejoice, Black Metal Craft is the stuff nightmares are made of, but that shouldn’t underplay the intricate delights that the album has to offer. There is a bounty of blackened goodness to be found as listeners dig into the frozen soundscape. A plethora of savage and soul-crushing heavy sounds with empathic melodic touches.

It’s not a complex listen, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a substantial level of girth to this music. It will certainly make you feel full, to the point of sickness. Just don’t be surprised if the vomit coming from you is black and icy.

Sad – Black Metal Craft Track Listing:

1. Black Metal Craft
2. Crimson Haze
3. Believe In Evil
4. Catacombs Of Thoughts
5. Sickening Euphoria
6. The Fortune Teller
7. Blissful Horizon
8. Winds of Grief

Links

Purity Through Fire