The two renowned Extreme Metal labels Stygian Black Hand and Invictus Productions are collaborating this time to release the anticipated mini-album coming from the ever-gnarly unholy trinity Horns & Hooves, entitled Spectral Voyeurism. 

The south Brooklyn-bound blasphemous cult makes an outstanding return with this release, after having released one studio album, one EP, one single, and one demo before. Spectral Voyeurism will come in 12” vinyl and cassette tape format under Stygian Black Hand and CD format under Invictus Productions.

Comparable to fellow Black Metal acts such as Nifelheim, Horns & Hooves meticulously takes their riff game into the next level – almost like an infernal rite in the form of an EP. 

While their core alignment in sounds revolves around traditional Black Metal, they somehow also managed to incorporate modern touches into their viscerally malevolent sonic journey. Not only do they combine old school, traditional Black Metal elements with modern touches altogether, they also fuse their Black Metal elements consisting of blast beats and high-pitched howls with Thrash Metal elements highly distinctive on this EP. 

While the EP takes its listeners to a terror-laden ghastly nightmare, it also envisages the rawest form of Extreme Metal at its full potential. 

What’s most promising about this EP is that Horns & Hooves also manages to be eclectic throughout the creative process and sonic journey involved while working on this EP. For example, third track “Shallow Blue (Hesitation)” is a little bit different from the other Black Metal-inclined tracks; it features the use of keytar synths which makes way for Horns & Hooves to build a Post-Punk/new wave type of nuance on that track. The convoluted and enigmatic rhythms presented by the unholy trinity helped build an atmosphere that would make the listeners think of the abysmal depths of the satanic underworld.

So far, I’m really enjoying how the EP turned out to be – old school Black Metal with all its intensities profoundly converged with Thrash-laden ferocity of sounds as well as slight post-Punk-esque elements with the use of keytar synths. 

It’s definitely a progressive take on perversion-themed Black Metal, not to mention they have always been consistent with their recurring themes and lyrical deep lores.

Buy the album here:
https://stygianblackhand.bandcamp.com/album/spectral-voyeurism

8 / 10
RALKA SKJERSETH