Label: Independent / Merg & Been
Genre: Black Metal
Length: 29:09
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Galghe is a black metal project from Limburg in the Netherlands. The band released their debut EP, Bloed Eed, digitally in February, followed by a cassette version in April via the Merg & Been label. I discovered the EP a few weeks ago, and today I'd like to give you my impressions of this dark, uncompromising work.
Bloed Eed means “Blood Oath” in English. The EP consists of four tracks, totalling 29 minutes and 9 seconds. The tracks and lyrics are entirely in Dutch. From the very first instrumental track, Het Mes, the listener is plunged into a dark, tense, almost suffocating atmosphere. It immediately sets the tone: raw, direct black metal - and this is confirmed by the second track, Bloed Eed 1.
Galghe's uncompromising black metal is rooted in the roots of the genre, retaining all its original bestiality. The drums hammer relentlessly, imposing an intensity from the very first seconds that never wavers. The screaming, cavernous vocals reinforce the impression of anguish. There are a few moments of respite, however, punctuating the rhythm, notably from 4:20 onwards on Bloed Eed 1, without breaking this reigning atmosphere of anguish.
Among the stand-out passages, I particularly appreciated the rhythmic evolution that occurs at 6:10 on Bloed Eed 1, followed by some discreet but well-felt guitar playing at 7:06, before a radical change of pace at 7:19, where the drums once again take centre stage. My favourite track, however, is Bloed Eed 2. The track opens with a slow, raw and sinister rhythm, before accelerating at 3:51. Then, at 5:59, a climate of unhealthy anxiety sets in, carried by a haunting guitar soon joined by a bass that slowly creeps in to further intensify the dark atmosphere. The last track, Ze Vraten Hun Leiders, features a powerful instrumental performance, particularly between 2:29 and 2:31 - just a few seconds, but with a striking intensity.
Bloed Eed is a solid, immersive debut offering. Galghe deliver visceral, straightforward black metal that will delight worshippers of the genre in its rawest form. A name to keep an eye on in the Dutch underground scene (I hope there's more to come from this band).