Hailing from Northern Europe, Lithuanian act Black Spikes have been around since 2018, gathering an increasing army of fans with their brand of Avant-garde metal. Winning the Garažas competition for up-and-coming bands in 2019, the five-piece from Vilnius was also recently nominated in two categories by their country’s M.A.M.A. Music Awards (the Lithuanian version of the Grammys).

Photo credit: Lunaria (Augustina Miknevičiūtė)

Following up 2020’s independent debut Šešėlių Vedami, the band’s second full-length release, Ydos (Napalm Records) is a concept album with each song representing a different vice (translated into English, Ydos literally means vices, or human flaws). A stunning combination of progressive, technical, and Alt metal, electronica, Djent, and Black Metal, the album changes its method of attack at every opportunity, switching from one extreme to the other, and mixing genres that contrast violently while somehow working in total harmony.

Songs like “Aurea” and “Motina” draw largely from Black Metal, but both carry an emotional weight carried largely by singer Agnieška Vrubliauskienė (aka Agni), whose range and diversity is simply astounding. Ethereal, delicate melodies become inhuman roars and screams in the blink of an eye while electronics and guitar riffs trade devastating blows as blastbeats and Djent rhythms punish the senses. “Revana” (Revenge) is another cut to feature Black Metal tremolo picking but also possesses a crushing groove, and a section guaranteed to hurt both your brain and your neck.

Introduction “Pasaka” (Fairytale) sets a darkly ambient tone with layered vocals, brief piano interjections, and building orchestration, but “Melas” is constructed around Trap beats, the song rooted in electronics but punctuated by stabs of brutal metal. All under a cloak of raw, visceral energy and a chorus which shouldn’t belong but absolutely does. 

“Mara” is another cut which shifts moods and tempos faster than most people can blink, the vocals at the forefront again, while “Zevlar” is based around a huge Djent chug with harmonic squeals. One of the best tracks on the album, “Apatija” (Apathy) seats perfectly weighted orchestrations behind a huge, driving rhythm you won’t ever want to end. “Senas Demonas” opens with splashes of Gojira before picking up the pace and charging headlong into a wall of Djent rhythms, roars, and screams, before the closer “Dulkės” brings the curtain down with an aggressive vulnerability.

A clear and precise production allows every musician to shine, even when the music is at its most chaotic. Guitarist Mazvis (aka Mažvydas Vrubliauskas) complements electronics/axe partner Yaga perfectly while the rhythm section of bassist Simona Karinauskaitė (aka Sime) and drummer Titas remain interwoven, either with calm restraint or flying into a blur of blastbeats. Unsurprisingly though, it’s Agni’s astonishing performances which are likely to live longest in the memory.

An album of balance and contrasts: if you want metal with modern, commercial influences but still hits harder than a sack of spanners, then Ydos is the record for you.

Buy the album here:
https://lnk.to/BlackSpikes-Ydos

9 / 10
GARY ALCOCK
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