Sarke "Vorunah" LP

For those uninitiated: Sarke isn’t just another black metal side project. It’s a sinister coalition of ex- and live members from Khold, Satyricon, Old Man’s Child, and also Darkthrone, with Nocturno Culto delivering his signature rasp with venomous charisma. Their 2009 debut album, Vorunah, is a masterclass in controlled chaos. A gritty, slow-burning fusion of first-wave black metal, thrash, and a healthy dose of creeping doom. Kicking off with the raw, unrelenting Primitive Killing, the record immediately channels the spirit of Hellhammer, early Celtic Frost, and Darkthrone’s later material, complete with distorted riffs, sinister leads, and a truly primitive atmosphere. But Vorunah doesn’t stop at bludgeoning you. Tracks like 13 Candles, Old, and Cult Ritual delve into creepy, ritualistic territory, blending keyboards and piano passages that build a slow, unsettling tension. It’s the kind of black metal that lurks in the corner of the room, rather than explodes out of the gate and that's exactly what makes it special. Lyrics veer between stream-of-consciousness unease, gallows humor, and Lovecraftian weirdness. Think Hannibal Lecter in corpse paint. And yes, you'll hear Nocturno Culto growling about cardigans and Chesterfields. Raw yet refined, creepy yet charismatic, Vorunah is a rare beast that is primitive in tone, but sophisticated in its malevolent design. A must for fans of Darkthrone, Celtic Frost, or anyone seeking blackened thrash metal that doesn’t just blast. Comes in 180g black or white vinyl.