NACHTGNAWER
Medieval Devourer

Formed in 2022, Finland's NACHTGNAWER have recorded a demo, a collaborative split with WulfSeer, and even a live album - but so far, a more extended record has not arrived. Nevertheless, their pedigree is substantial, numbering concurrent members of labelmates LICHT DES URTEILS, SACRIFICIUM CARMEN, RIIVAUS, CORAXUL, and NÔIDVA among others. As expected, NACHTGNAWER unfurl Finnish filth of a most millennial variety...but on evidence of the new mini-album Medieval Devourer, there's more to their charred cauldron than expected. For one, the "medieval" extension / appellation certainly applies here; for however restless and rabid their execution may be, there's an alternately melancholic / triumphant aspect to their riffing that suggests an acute understanding of France's notorious Concilium crew. For another, the haunting tubular-bells interlude "Process of Procession" splits the record into two equally satisfying halves, with the first bearing the bite of the vampiric - the aforementioned collaboration was titled Unholy Vampyric Supremacy, after all - and the latter melting into the heavy metal of the epic "Stench of the Ancient Towers" and the quick-hitting "Desecrator." What's more, NACHTGNAWER apply the subtlest of synth in spots, furthering underlining those ancient links. This is the Medieval Devourer!