CDReviews

Hraun – Black Molten Essence

FDA Records release: 24.4.2020

Hraun are 2 Germans who deliver their debut, channeling the essence of 90s goth , early doom death and black metal. Plus other elements, e.g. a few jazz-progressive sounds in the opening sequence, clear dark vocals and later even some Folk influences. This mixture sounds pretty dramatic to me, just like a sort of Black Metal opera. Not quite what you expect – or fear – to hear, namely the standard BM rattling – which only appears in ‘Rituals’. Otherwise, the album provides a lot of variety.

‘In The Pouring Rain I Lie’ is a kind of sick “ballad”, taking off with a minimum of instruments and develops into a BM power ballad. One of several pretty catchy songs, among those ‘Seducing Voices’ (Goth/Doom-Groove BM with Prog), ‘Hamarinn’ with a wicked Doom intro and ‘Take Back The Light’ do also fit to the BM Opera perspective. Fittingly, the duo tackles a broad thematic spectrum in their lyrics, ranging from extreme everyday situations to psychological scenarios.
The Germans’ debut full-length is quite remarkable because of its crossover potential, although it’s not quite my cup of tea.

PS: The band name Hraun means “lava” in Icelandic.

“Black Molten Essence” track listing:
1] Occult Blood
2] Rituals
3] In The Pouring Rain I Lie
4] Seducing Voices
5] Hamarinn
6] Take Back The Light
7] Through The River Black
total playing time: 39:29

Klaudia Weber

reckless and merciless dictator, so KNEEL! In other words, editor-in-chief, translator, website and ad admin, "Jane of all trades" - - - addicted to books (everything between Lord Of The Rings & quantum physics) and music, mainly Metal made in Finland. Furthermore, there's painting, drawing, movies, theater... so you can expect some variety on this website too. MA Master of Arts, English and American studies & Media communication = completed two full studies parallel within 5 years; very proud of my achievement - a bit later in life thanks to a scholarship - as a working class girl in a highlyconservative-romancatholic nation...