Review: Asgrauw — Oorsprong

Band: Asgrauw
Album: Oorsprong
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Netherlands
Label: Death Prayer Records
Released: 31st of Otober 2024

Introduction

From left to right:
Vaal: guitars & vocals
Batr: drums
Kaos: bass & vocals

Asgrauw from the Netherlands was founded in 2010, their focus is to bring the Apocalypse to their listeners. This time they are back with their newest creation called Oorsprong; Dutch for The Beginning and I will share my thoughts on this great record.

Oorsprong

Tracklist:

  1. Kosmische strijd
  2. Eridu
  3. Apada
  4. Redres
  5. Weeral
  6. Kapoeres
  7. Erfenis
  8. Heimwee

The first track, Kosmische Strijd starts with a very weird intro that you have to listen to yourselves to get what I mean, but kicks into full-blown black metal right after. The vocals are very DSBM like with high shrieks, but it fit the rest of the music very well. Overall, the song is pretty fast-paced and the guitar and drum work is astounding. A solid opener for a solid album…

Eridu is again following up this unusual intro style which makes you nearly freak out, before going into the bass prominent slow opening. This is layered with more harsh spoken vocals that trade back and forth with the throat destroying shrieks. It then picks up speed very rapidly and transforms into a melodic, well-written song. The incorporation of synths completes this journey of Dutch madness.

The last track, Heimwee again has a peculiar intro that sounds like a jet taking off but then fluently blending into the following riff and synths with spoken vocals. Already in the first minute, you realise that it’s a great closing track for a pretty special album. The vocals get more aggressive throughout the song. I would like to add bands which have some similarities, but Asgrauw is unique in their sound. The overall riffing in this song is more uplifting than in the previous tracks, and I think this certified them gaining a new devoted fan in me.

Conclusion

An excellent album that really doesn’t have any competitors. If you’re like me. More open-minded and into the weird and wonderful, you will enjoy this album in particular and all of Asgrauw’s adventurous music.

BMZ Rating: A solid 8 out of 10

YouTube player

Support them here:

Asgrauw: https://asgrauw.bandcamp.com/music

Death Prayer Records: https://deathprayerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/fa-ade

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