When it comes to black metal Swansea, Wales, doesn’t quite generate the same mental imagery as Bergen, Norway and the grim and frost bitten kingdoms; yet the Welsh city has produced a formidable presence in the UK’s ever improving black metal scene, namely three-piece Ghast.
As a sub genre black metal seems to be known as well for its limitless sense of evolution and direction, and in contrast for those bands that instead choose to a rigid sound and structure. Certainly in their formula, Ghast sit in the latter camp on first listen with the very familiar sonic tones and shrill, unnerving screams that are trait to many such band. On closer inspection of Dread Doom Ruin (Todestrieb) however, its clear Ghast aren’t simply being nostalgic nor set in their ways.
Instead of going purely for full throttle, tremolo and blast beat driven pace, Ghast choose to pummel with a doomier, moody pace with the occasional peppering of speed. Not a unique approach by any stretch, but where this album really stands up is in its sense of near paralyzing atmosphere, which proves both mesmerizing and yet uneasy.
In black metal’s vast spectrum there are tonnes of bands that push the styles and structural and musical boundaries beyond reason, whilst there are also plenty that play the recognisable imprint with greater technicality and precision than is displayed here. Very few bands however can generate such an uncomfortable but addictive atmosphere than is present on Dread Doom Ruin however, making this just as valuable of your time.
7.0/10.0
CHRIS TIPPELL