Okay, despite the fact that this release is quite ‘aged’ – it was actually recorded as from Autumn 2011 to Summer 2013, and released via Vacula Productions (and Narbentage Produktionen) in Autumn 2014 – it deserves all attention it needs (the same goes for the mighty Ukraine-based label, which is, to my opinion, unfortunately underestimated).
So, this solo-outfit by Sergey ‘HexenHammer’ Andrievskih (the guy has some other projects going on, in case you might be interested), did record and release Ad Fines Nivis Aeternae, which has a total running time of forty one minutes. And you know, with this project Sergey performs that kind of material that defines the Second Wave trend as it has always been interpreted in the eastern lands of the European soil. Indeed, Ad Fines Nivis Aeternae brings the ‘traditional’ kind of Nordic-styled Pagan Black superiority that is not that uncommon behind the fictive Iron Curtain from, you know, back then.
The riffing is of a mostly melodious kind, exhaling pride, epic, victory and truth, and it gets accompanied by a fierce, powerful and proudly supportive rhythm section at the one hand, and pushed forward by a diverse yet at least as powerful amalgam on vocal timbres, from shouting over grunting to screaming and gurgling.
HexenHammer’s Flame’s Black Metal totally lacks of invention and originality. So what?! Like many acts on Vacula Productions, the result is convincing, paying tribute to the true and honest essence of the scene, and in this project’s case it’s just about the same: proud, convinced, honest and pure. And well-played. And done with an appropriate production and mix.
Skip this stuff if you’re looking for something renewing, for you will not find anything but traditional, even predictable stuff with Ad Fines Nivis Aeternae. But die-hard fans of the origins will surely adore this material, for it is composed quite interesting, and performed at least as convincing. There’s better stuff going on lately, but after all we must appreciate everything that defines honesty and purity, and in this project’s case the latter elements prevail.