I first encountered Scarborough based Ante-Inferno about two and a bit years ago at Warhorns. They really made an impression then with a no fuss appearance belying a raw and frighteningly intense stage presence. I got the idea but really had no idea where they would take their sound. Fast forward through a good gigging schedule and here we are, debut full length. Great new logo, a grim black and white cover…. Well…

‘Fane’ the intro is a dark and doomy bit of melancholy bringing to mind the wild east coast and a little of the Viking history perhaps before ‘Oath’ takes the melody and blasts its way in. Immediately this is full of dark, raw melody. The vocals from KB are superb, ripping out roars but somehow retaining a deeper emotional feel as some killer kick drums from GS power it on and the riff courtesy of MZ and KB scythes. It falls into a slow, slow break, doom riding the lower registers with NL’s presence on bass felt keenly as it slowly rises into an epic and for me very UK, even English sound.

‘Passing’ has an initial riff which just howls with single minded intent, scouring out the soul. It is harsh and more aggressive than the previous track but also dips into a kind of folky/metal interlude briefly which works nicely in an almost Forefather way. ‘Return’ is a stormy little piece, tempestuous in rhythm but oddly reminds me a little of Slegest at their most primal in the odd place here and there. The vocal variation on display here is excellent as is the bands ability to use doom laden breakdowns so well without losing the power or atmosphere. ‘Absence’ is a short instrumental with some beautiful picked notes, bass and guitar, across a soft but dark cloth of keyboards. Introspective and gentle it weaves and glides before ‘Worship’ howls in your face. It is a true rager but again with that melodic streak that just seems to grab me by the heart and the gut and makes me gaze out into the distance over the fields around me. Somehow it evokes the world I see on my doorstep; fields cultivated but just there, just on the edge, the howl of nature batters against all that the farmers build. ‘Fragments’ closes the album in grand style, an epic ride indeed. Superb melody again, just fantastic relentless riffing anchored by the drum and with a great low end pushing it on.

Epic. Now that is not a word I thought I would be using about Ante-Inferno, but it is, it certainly is. I guess this is the kind of black metal on which I thrive; melancholic maybe, yearning certainly, emotional, wild and raw. The kind of thing that brings to mind our damp, grey weather and bleak moorlands. Soul searing. It hits me where I live I guess. But make no mistake I may have a love of this style but Ante-Inferno have crafted an wonderful debut. Still harsh and raw but woven with such a fine line of captivating emotional melody that it traps you like a spiderweb and holds you tight. Think a hint of Winterfylleth without the folk element or a far more aggressive Fellwarden and you’re close to the borders of where this album lies.

Fane is a great debut and a fine addition to the UKBM scene. Ante-Inferno have woven some great songs here that really speak to me. If you like that earthy, UK sound then get it ordered. Now.

(8.5/10 Gizmo)

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https://ante-inferno.bandcamp.com/album/fane

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