It’s insane to think that it’s 2024, and we’re still listening to men try to slot women in our societies. Men still get paid more, they try to pass legislation (and often succeed) that limit women’s healthcare options, and those on the far right have done everything in their power to try to push women back into traditional roles that are as archaic as their ideas.
Austrian black metal force Perchta also stand to challenge those old ways with their explosive new record “D’Muata” (translates as mother) that expresses feminine ideals and makes the case for motherhood that doesn’t relegate a women to a kitchen. The band—Frau Percht (vocalist, Teufelsgeige, percussions), Walscher Fabio D’Amore (bass, keys, programming), Loda Chris Knoll (guitars), Gsell Lukas Massinger (guitars), Moosmandl Christian Höll (dulcimer), Håscht Simon Schnückel (drums)—presents matters such as the journey of motherhood, female sexuality, violence against women, loss of a child, and many other vital elements in a way that doesn’t paint these roles into a corner and reduce women to these roles. It shines a greater light and pays respect to the strength women possess and the stress they must endure while also handling other roles. It’s a battle cry for the strong, independent woman.
“Vom Verlånga” starts with dulcimer ringing before a huge surge, the shrieks peeling paint off the walls. Percht’s clean singing is incredibly powerful and sounds great, a real weapon for this band. Leads glimmer as the power combusts, fluttering out in strings. “Ois wås ma san” is mystical as is starts before the doors are blown off, spellbinding drama raging, making your heart race. The clean singing again powers, and then things go into folkish waters, coming out of that with hearty melodies and a storming force before burning off. Heiliges Bluat” is a quick interlude-style track with dulcimer hammers, guitars plucked, and speaking and howls uniting before trickling away. “Hebamm” is gazey and breezier as it starts, the singing harmonizing as the track drills you in the teeth. Shrieks punish as the pace dizzies, mixing into folkish singing and then letting the guitars take off, the dulcimer sparking further wonder. Guitars smear as the singing and shrieks unite, the light and dark blending together, claps and mouth harp disappearing into the weeds.
The title track breezes in on whispers before strings rise, and forceful howls increase the wind speeds. The playing decimates as group chants rouse, gentler strains let more atmosphere into the room, and the shrieks gut before the track comes to a ripping end. “Wehenkanon” is a shorter track that starts with something that sounds like an engine firing up, then the singing swirls in the air, percussion getting more active, the strings coming on strong as screams crack the surface as things end in a magical pit of dreams. “Ausbruch” is a strange, ambient interlude, yells and strange noises playing games with your mind, bleeding into “Långtuttin & Stampa” that starts with creaks and moans. Chimes cascade as metallic fury builds, Percht’s howls rippling down your spine. The agony pours as cries crack bones, scathing guitars increase the fury, and the warbling melodies scrape off flesh. The playing strangles as guitars get more aggressive, blazing through black metal waters, crushing with urgency before zapping out. Closer “Mei Dianä Mei Bua” starts with choral gusts, dulcimer, and then guttural howls tearing the ribs from your chest. Group singing rouses as metallic devastation spreads, a strong folkish flow slides underneath the power, acoustics rinse, and a baby’s call echoes, the drums sending us out into space.
“D’Muata” not only is a refreshing listen for their style of black metal and the native sounds they build into their recipe, but having femininity and the forces that surround that such a huge part of this record also helps it stand out. Perchta explore terrain that long has gone undiscovered in heavy metal and do so in such a powerful and alluring way that you can’t help but to get swept up in their creations. This record floods the senses and leaves you enthralled and exhausted in the best possible way when it’s done.
For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/perchta.band
To buy the album, go here: https://us.spkr.media/us/Artists/Perchta/
For more on the label, go here: https://en.prophecy.de/
Meat Mead Metal 