Alatyr is a sombre dynamic duo hailing from Slovakia. Recently formed (2006), Alatyr have released this year their self-titled debut on Candarian Demon Productions.
On those 6-7 minutes long compositions, Alatyr have recorded seven tracks of good ol' Black Metal. Delicate hues of sadness and melancholia melt with stark tones of grimness to paint a depressive Nordic cold landscape. The delicacies of nature samplings, ambient/dark keyboards and clean guitar work collide with the distorted riffs, double bass and those great ghostly/discrete rasps and occasional screams, coming seemingly from beyond. What I really enjoyed on this disc was the fact that the pace was usually moderate and the overall feel was a melodically sad one. Indeed, the last two compositions are much more emphasizing their melo-melancholic side by being much calmer pieces, especially Prazdnota where piano, symphonic keys and quiet moments bear a palpable melancholia. On the other hand, great Nordic rawer Black Metal is found just like this cool piece named Burka. The album is closed by a cover of a Darkthrone classic: Transylvanian Hunger.