Created by Wretch in 2022, Henere was formed to carve out a unique space for melodic black metal emerging from New Jersey, United States. With a focus on storytelling, emotional depth, and cold expansive atmosphere. After two EPs, Eye of the storm & Frozen veil of the north, the band brings us their third EP called The Chosen Path.
As mentioned above, Wretch was the one who founded the band. For this release he took on the vocals, drums and synths. He was aided by Blood Clot on guitars and Lament on bass duties. The album was mixed and mastered by No ground noise and the album art is done by Riaj Gargoth.
After a long intro of horns, synths, chanting and tribal war drums it is finally ready to start with the music: Winds of eldritch north. The title makes me think of Immortal, and that is not as strange; the band lists them as influences as well as Dark Fortress and Drudkh.
The mix sounds clear, like an icewind howling through the northern forest. The compositions do remind me of those bands listed above. The guitars are raw and sharp, the bass can be heard clearly and even dares to adventure on its own on some riffs. The drums do remind me of a drumcomputer being used (the cymbals give it away), but it does not bother me as much as it sounds as a complete product.
During eight tracks (with separate intro and outro track) Henere shows it can bring the northern winds to New Jersey. My favourite track is Spectres of glacier tombs, it has the feeling that once made me a fan of Immortal. The riffs are catchy, like the one that starts around the 1 minute mark. They create a great open atmosphere, the way they continue with the drum and bass while changing the guitar riff are brilliant!
That I am not the only one that hears potential in this music is a fact. Henere – The chosen path is co-released on digipack by Void Wanderer Productions and War Productions. This third album is their best so far, and I hope they will bring a longer album in the future. Because with just over 30 minutes of music it is on the shorter side, but one that sticks with me none the less!
82/100
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War Productions:
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