Album Review: Hoth – Astral Necromancy (Self Released)

Seattle’s Hoth bring the the classic black metal sound, the pace, the intensity and drag it kicking and screaming into 2018. Their new full-length album entitled Astral Necromancy will be released on June 15th 2018.

A concept album of sorts, it is a collection of black magic rituals and unholy spells that weave a tale of forbidden knowledge and spiritual transcendence.

It’s all good and proper saying there is a concept behind an album, it’s another thing to show that. Hoth, thankfully don’t have that issue. Astral Necromancy is an evil ritualistic record that is dipped in darkness. Sinister and unholy sounds emanate from every track resulting in an overall experience that all can bow too.

It’s a savage record, black metal played at a hard and fast pace with only the occasional bit of melody to help break things up. Moments of respite before the flames of the candles gutter out and those that dwell outside of the light start to edge forward.

Early on The Living Dreams of a Dead God showcase this before Passge Into Entropy absolutely roars with massive power and impressive rhythm. It’s an incredible track following on from a hell of a solid start.

Does it get better? Somehow it gets better! Hoth grow in strength and we’re all the better for it. Their power comes to life on Citadel of the Necromancer, a track that delivers the fire but layers it with amazing hooks. The Gathering of the Accursed Artifacts pulverises the senses and Ascension drives the heavy goodness forward when exhaustion seems to be about to set in.

It’s all so good, all so very damn good.

Hoth – Astral Necromancy Full Track Listing:

1. Vengeance
2. The Living Dreams of a Dead God
3. The Horrid Truth
4. Passage into Entropy
5. Citadel of the Necromancer
6. Ad Inane Precatio
7. The Gathering of the Accursed Artifacts
8. Ascension
9. Journey into the Eternal Winter
10. The Void Between the Stars
11. Solitude

You can order the album via Bandcamp and merchandise here. Find out more/keep up to date with news by checking out Hoth’s website and liking them on Facebook.