It was in the autumn of 2023 that the Swedish/Italian duo Hammerfilosofi hit us square in the face with their debut album The Desolate One. Comprised of NKFTR and his Italian comrade FCCM, the band immediately made an impact with their heavily 1990s-inspired Black Metal sound.
What followed was a solid EP the following year, and now they return with their second full-length album, Signum, unleashed upon the world through the French cult label Osmose Productions.
Once again, Hammerfilosofi captivate with intense, predominantly 90s-rooted Black Metal, driven by the primal screams of FCCM, whose vocal approach adds an eerie, ritualistic atmosphere to the mix.
Of course, there’s no shortage of bands drawing inspiration from that sacred decade, but what sets Hammerfilosofi apart? For one, the album’s massive and crushing production gives the music an almost industrial edge — reminiscent at times of Ugehal, Merrimack, or even the harsher moments of Aborym.
Then there’s FCCM’s decision not to rely solely on the traditional shrieked vocals, but to incorporate a vocal delivery that occasionally borders on a Pitchshifter or Godflesh-like intensity. That industrial undertone, combined with classic Black Metal ferocity, gives the band a distinctive and menacing character.
Tempo-wise, Signum shifts between blistering, high-speed assaults and more traditional mid-tempo passages, even touching upon doom territory here and there. This dynamic approach works strongly in the duo’s favor, maintaining tension and preventing monotony throughout the record.
Let’s be honest — Hammerfilosofi aren’t reinventing the wheel here, but through the way they fuse certain elements and carve their own vision into the sound, Signum remains an engaging and compelling listen from start to finish — something that can’t always be said in this genre.
With Signum, Hammerfilosofi have released a powerful and convincing record — a striking blend of raw Black Metal, industrial coldness, and oppressive atmosphere. Definitely a release worth lending an attentive ear to.
82/100