Release Date April 17th, 2025
Format Digital/Vinyl
Genre Atmospheric Black Metal
Origin Spain
Barcelona isn’t exactly the first place you think of when you want to freeze your bones off in a forest, but Sotabosc is out here trying to change that narrative. Formed in 2023 by a bunch of veterans from Syberia and Ulmus, this crew isn't just some random collection of beginners. They spent a couple of years recruiting a vocalist and a bassist from the local underground to make sure this project had enough teeth to actually do some damage. They aren't hiding behind masks or vague lyrics either; they stand for an anti-fascist world and scream it in Catalan, making sure their stance is as obvious as the distortion on their guitars.
If you’re expecting a typical blast-beat marathon, "El Batec Dels Maquis" is going to throw you for a loop. This is atmospheric black metal that actually remembers to bring the atmosphere. Instead of just burying everything in a wall of noise, they let the melodies hang in the air like a bad omen. You get these long, drawn-out sections that actually build toward something instead of just circling the drain. The production lets you hear the layers of the guitars, which is a blessing because these riffs are actually worth hearing.
The transition from "Nerthus" into "Heimdall" shows they aren't just interested in one speed. They can pull back and let the misery sink in, then ramp up the intensity when it’s time to remind you they’re still a black metal band. The vocals from David Rodríguez provide a ragged edge that keeps the melodic parts from getting too pretty. It’s the kind of sound that works best when you’re staring at a gray sky, feeling like the world is about to collapse under its own stupidity.
The real test for any fan is going to be the final track, "El Batec Dels Maquis/Records Vius En La Foscor". Clocking in at over seventeen minutes, it’s a total beast that forces you to pay attention. It avoids becoming a slog by shifting gears frequently, moving through different shades of darkness without losing the thread. Most bands would mess up a song this long by adding a bunch of filler, but these guys keep the momentum moving. It’s a bold move for a debut, and it mostly pays off if you have the patience for a long-form assault.
For a first full-length, this is a strong showing that puts the Catalan scene on the map for this style. It has the right amount of melody mixed with enough aggression to keep the purists from whining too much. They’ve managed to create a sound that honors the old gods of the genre while keeping their own political identity front and center. It’s a grim, effective trip into the woods that’ll satisfy anyone looking for black metal with some actual brain cells behind it.
Damage done @: 7.8
Add comment
Comments