There are things in life one prefers to keep hidden — aspects of the human mind that don’t seem meant to be shared with others. Within the black metal underground, that sense of mystery has become almost foundational: it’s not uncommon for albums to appear whose creators remain completely unknown. The unknown, after all, feeds the imagination. “Mysterious anonymity” might be the best label for it.
Trest from Germany is one of the many projects that embraces this philosophy. Whether it’s a full band or a single possessed soul in an attic remains a mystery. What we do know is that with Energumen, Trest presents its third full-length — once again wrapped in striking artwork that perfectly aligns with the previous releases. Such visual continuity creates a sense of cohesion, something that’s rarely coincidental in this kind of music.
“Through all civilizations people believed in witches. Could they all be wrong?” — the album opens with this line, a quote from The Conjuring (2013). It’s an intriguing statement that immediately sets the tone: dark, mystical, and steeped in humanity’s age-old fascination with the occult. It serves as a fitting summary of what Energumen seeks to evoke — a sonic world where faith, madness, and mysticism intertwine.
Musically, Trest moves through the deeper catacombs of black metal: raw yet atmospheric, uncompromising yet full of dynamic contrast. The production remains faithful to the underground aesthetic without descending into murkiness. There’s an undeniable intensity in the riffs and vocals that suggests a passionate and driven spirit lurking behind the anonymity.
The songs are superbly balanced — raw and intense, yet never so raw that they collapse into an indistinct blur. Trest knows exactly where the boundary lies between chaos and structure. Clever tempo shifts and subtle melodic turns keep the music engaging from start to finish — energetic, dark, and captivating all at once. It’s that fine balance between coldness and emotion that makes Energumen so compelling.
Everything feels organic and sincere, as if every note was placed with care to evoke both unease and beauty. This is black metal that doesn’t merely seek to destroy, but also to enchant.
In short, Energumen is well worth exploring. Let yourself be drawn into the misty, mysterious world of Trest — a dark universe that seeps a little deeper under your skin with each listen.
89/100