After their brilliant debut demo Blood Cries with Sorrow, released in April 2025, the Finnish band Matru-Zebu followed up with their debut album on October 31, 2025. Who exactly is behind this mysterious project remains unknown; the band is fully shrouded in anonymity. There are rumors that Atvar of Kérés may be involved with Matru-Zebu, but this has never been officially confirmed and therefore remains purely speculative.
Musically, the album once again moves predominantly within the Mediterranean sphere of the 1990s, with clear influences from the Greek and Italian black metal scenes of that era. Dark, melodic riffs and incantatory, atmospheric passages evoke strong memories of that classic period, while the Finnish sound of the time is also prominently present. Icy tremolo picking, restrained song structures, and a melancholic undertone provide a northern counterbalance to the otherwise southern-leaning soundscape.
The visual presentation further enhances Matru-Zebu’s enigmatic character. The album cover features a mask strongly reminiscent of African ritual masks, potentially adding another symbolic layer to the band’s name. In this context, the reference to the zebu—an ancient breed of cattle with African and Asian roots—could point toward archaic rituals, sacrificial cults, and primal power. Although the band offers no explanation themselves, this aesthetic aligns seamlessly with the timeless and sacral atmosphere the album radiates.
With a solid amount of blast beats, Matru-Zebu opts for a slightly less mid-tempo approach than on the demo, while still firmly rooted in the second wave of black metal: more atmosphere than aggression, more ritual than speed. The songs unfold gradually, allowing space for repetition and hypnotic structures, with the focus on subterranean tension rather than brute force. At the same time, the production remains deliberately raw and unpolished, preserving the coldness and abrasiveness that give the genre its authentic character.
The vocals, as on the demo, are delivered in an almost preaching, proclamatory manner, less a traditional vocal performance and more an incantation or rite. This vocal approach reinforces the ceremonial aspect of the music and contributes to an all-encompassing, dark atmosphere that slowly but inexorably takes hold.
Vinyl collectors will have to wait a little longer, as the LP edition is scheduled for later this year. The CD and tape versions, however, are already available.
85/100