Band: VRAG
Country: Hungary
Title: Harcom
Label: Filosofem Records
Year: 2021
Style: Melancholic Black Metal

Review:
I thought this band was more active on discographic level in the past few years, but actually I was wrong to an extent. Vrag is the one-man-band of the man bearing the same name as pseudonym (also Roland, the man behind Filosofem Records), and he's also involved in two other projects, Witcher and Frozen Wreath, both releasing new stuff in the past couple of years, so obviously this activity stuck to my mind as Vrag's activity, but actually under this moniker the latest album was out 4 years prior to this one, in 2017. The third studio album by Vrag is a collection of only 5 tracks, but they are all longer than 8 minutes for a total duration of 45 minutes, so you'll have plenty to chew on here. I very much appreciate the idea of publishing the lyrics in both Hungarian and English even though they are sung in native tongue only, and that because they are quite personal insights on the whole Vrag atmosphere, and play a key role in allowing the new album to sunk in, to actually get into its core. Melancholic Black Metal, mostly mid-paced but with occasional slow and fast paced passages that enhance the heavy atmosphere, a grainy, cold, organic production that might appeal to both fans of more melodic type of Black Metal and purists of the genre that are looking for rawer records, something in the vein of early Burzum recordings if you think those are accessible. Two cool elements in Vrag's music are: the overall dense, melancholic feeling given mostly by guitar riffs, and the fact that those riffs are quite memorable I'd say, each track has something to stick to your mind after the audition. Good album, recommended if you're into rawer type of Melodic Black Metal.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 8/10

Contact:
vraghungary.bandcamp.com
filosofemrecords.bandcamp.com