Every part of life is a cycle from beginning to end and everything in the middle. We’re born, we slowly form who we are as people, we go out into the world and make something of ourselves (whatever that means), we grow old, and then we leave this planet, letting other people take our place. It’s simple and heartbreaking, but it’s the way things must go until the world itself ceases to exist (which could be any time now).

You’ll probably get the idea that Black Birch was onto that thinking on their debut EP that is self-titled, though the chronology might seem a bit off when seeing the track names in sequence for the first time. Perhaps that’s by design, but there’s a more grandiose scheme at work that ends with new life. Whatever it is, it packs an emotional punch on this four-track album but this duo—vocalist/guitarist/bassist Gina Wiklund (also of Gasp) and drummer/guitarist/bassist/backing vocalist Ulf Blomberg (Gace.Will.Fall, Palmless)—makes sure you also are overwhelmed by the sound. Both came up in the hardcore and punk worlds, and this is their initial stab at black metal, which is stunning considering how effectively they navigate this sound and add their own raw, DIY ethos to the movement. I’m super excited to hear where this band goes from here, and they plan to release a new track each month for the rest of the year, assuring we get to witness this evolution in real time.

“Fallen” begins cleanly and rather serenely, but that doesn’t last very long. The track slowly forms into a raging storm, tearing apart as a melodic explosion, a tornadic surge that develops out of the atmosphere. Energy floods as Wiklund’s shrieks destroy, steamrolling as the momentum continues to build, firing with great force before fading out. “Death” rips open and devastates, cooling just for a moment before taking a more tempered pace. The playing turns fluid and savage, pulling you apart limb from limb, pummeling with speed and color, blasting its way to the finish. “Soil” cooly drips as thunder strikes, guitars gaze, and a blistering force takes over, the shrieks mauling as everything crashes to the ground. The playing coats with power, the guitars churn and create a thick fog, slowing to let the storm take a greater hold. A final burst makes the ground quake, the pace is stampeding, and the violent torque makes your neck ache. “Birth” closes the EP with intensity and urgency, a black fury making its presence felt, the guitars destroying everything. It’s a total force, the shrieks draw marrow from bones, and finally everything exits into the cold, fading into nothingness.

Considering this is the duo’s first foray into black metal with Black Birch, it’s impressive how fully they grasp the aesthetic, majesty, and power of the subgenre on this debut EP. It’s also exciting to know this is just the first dose, as the band plans to continue etching their mark in this unforgiving style, ensuring we can watch and hear them grow along the way. This is an impressive and emotional strike, a great injection of passion into black metal’s kingdom.

By the way, both Vita Detestabilis Records and Fiadh Productions have a massive slew of new releases coming out seemingly every day, and there’s a lot of great stuff worth your time and money. I’m one guy, so I can’t cover it all here, but if you visit their respective Bandcamps and check out some of the music they have in the pipeline, you’re bound to discover something that’ll excite the fuck out of you.

For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/blackbirch.bm

To buy the album, go here: https://fiadh.bandcamp.com/album/black-birch

Or here: https://vitadetestabilisrecords.bandcamp.com/album/black-birch

For more on the label, go here: https://www.facebook.com/fiadhproductions

And here: https://www.facebook.com/vitadetestabilisrecords