EP Review: Strigoi – Bathed in A Black Sun (Season of Mist)

Due to be released on November 3rd, 2023, via Season of Mist, ‘Bathed in A Black Sun’ is a five-track EP from the UK death-doom band, Strigoi. Featuring four unreleased or exclusive songs from the recording sessions of the album ‘Viscera’, and the track ‘Bathed in A Black Sun’, which featured on that album.

We’re never going to complain about having more Strigoi to enjoy, especially as the one-year anniversary of Viscera has now gone by. It’s Strigoi and their miserable heaviness is simply wonderful.

That being said, this EP is one for the fans only. Mainly because the focus track is one that is taken from Viscera and the rest are cuts collected from the floor. Though that’s not a negative, as even the scraps of Viscera are bloody enjoyable.

Opening with the Bathed in A Black Sun, the title track, Strigoi remind listeners of their immense power as they remorselessly batter the senses. On an album (Viscera) that oozes dark heaviness and guttural desolation, this track still stands out. A wave of doomy gloom engulfs all, yet it has cinematic power, causing the mind to spiral out of control. Assailed by all manner of wicked images and sound, caught in the atmosphere of Strigoi’s gravitational pull, it’s a spell-binding track.

Now things get really interesting though as the unreleased tracks arrive, starting with the blast of death-infused carnage that is The Grotesque. An apt title as it is an ugly and raucous beast of a track. Followed then by a 42-second hit of filth in the form of Beautiful Stigmata, before A Spear of Perfect Grief brings some of that delicious Strigoi doom to the forefront, yet the upbeat tempo gives it some surprising groove. With a thrilling guitar solo thrown in, it ends up being a bit of banger, but its peppy heaviness makes it clear why it didn’t end up on the Viscera album.

Finally, it’s another short one with The Construct of Misery, and another frenetic discharge of head-banging heaviness with a thrash vibe. Right up to the last thirty-odd seconds, where it transforms into death metal chaos.

Overall, Bathed in A Black Sun is welcome release that will help tide fans over while they await what comes next from Strigoi.

Strigoi – Bathed in A Black Sun Track Listing:

1. Bathed in A Black Sun
2. The Grotesque
3. Beautiful Stigmata
4. Spear of Perfect Grief
5. The Construct of Misery

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