Ultha – Converging Sins

[schema type=”review” name=”Ultha – Converging Sins” description=”Label: Vendetta Records” author=”Basak Günel” pubdate=”2016-12-01″ ]

Ultha is a black metal band from Germany. Founded in 2014, the band is relatively young but their style is quite interesting and unique as they blend the Scandinavian and US-black metal with elements from doom and dark wave. The band has recently released their latest album “Converging Sins”.

I always have respect for the black metal bands that do not deliver us the classical BM sound but mix a few genres and elements and bring us a rather colorful side of the genre. If you are especially into gothic/doom/darkwave elements in the darker side of black metal, “Converging Sins” will get you hooked from the first spin. Considering that Ultha is relatively young, I was beyond amazed at how well they have blended many styles. Experimenting is definitely there but this is a black metal (or even post-metal) album to the bone. However, considering that black metal is also divided into sub-genres, “Converging Sins” falls more into the ‘doom-y’ and atmospheric side of the genre. The whole atmosphere of the album is not dynamic as it will capture you slowly but steadily. This one is an emotional record (“Mirrors In A Black Room”) so take your time to feel it and feel the darkness of course.

When you keep listening to the record, you will realize that some songs are over 10 minutes and the album itself is just a little bit more than 1 hour. So this is one of those records that you need to listen to from the beginning to the end. It is not a concept album but once you get hooked in the whole atmosphere, it will seem like this cycle starting from the first song and ending with the last song. This is one of the aspects that the band managed to do quite well. I am normally not a big fan of long songs but they are not dull or repetitive so as I mentioned before, there is definitely some experimenting and even ‘progressive’ elements in their style. What I really loved the most was the use of those atmospheric and dark wave elements such as clean choirs in “You Will Learn About Loss” or the female vocals in “Mirrors In A Black Room”. As a matter of fact, the more you will spin the record, the more elements and surprises you will discover. So this record definitely needs to be listened to a few times.

“Converging Sins” proves that this young formation holds potential and I am sure we will hear more about them in the future and in the black metal scene. The scene definitely needs more newcomer bands like Ultha. Get the album if you are a fan of the darkness!

Line-up:
Chris – bass, vocals
Ralph – guitar, vocals
Ralf – guitar
Andy – electronics
Manu – blasts

Tracklist: 01. The Night Took Her Right Before My Eyes 02. Mirrors In A Black Room 03. Athame_Bane Emanations 04. You Will Learn About Loss 05. Fear Lights The Path (Close To Our Hearts)

Links:
Ultha Facebook
Ultha Official