Despite the fact that Ecuadorian outfit Wampyric Rites has only been active for six years, the trio has managed to build a remarkably impressive discography in that relatively short period of time. Over the years there have been a few lineup changes, but Eblis Destructor and Wampyric Strigoi remain the unyielding backbone of the band, consistently safeguarding the dark and uncompromising course that Wampyric Rites continues to follow.
Beyond their work within Wampyric Rites, both members are also involved in several other projects. One of these, Oath of Malignancy, has been covered extensively here before and even secured a spot in my personal year-end list, no small achievement. Like that release, this 7” is also issued by the Dutch label WolfKult Religion, a label that once again proves it has an unerring instinct for locating the rotten core.
This is not new material, but a recording from 2023 that, for unclear yet far from unusual reasons, is only now seeing the light of day. It first appeared last March on cassette via Narbetage Produktionen and has now finally made its way to vinyl through WolfKult Religion, a development I can only applaud. Without hesitation, I brought the vinyl edition into my home, lit black candles, and took my seat by the turntable to give this piece of red gold — yes, I went for the red pressing — the attention it deserves.
What comes blasting out of the speakers is a satisfying slab of raw noise, recalling early Beherit or Vampirska. With releases like this, there is little point in discussing production or mastering; this is old-school black metal in the purest sense, harking back to around 1990, when tempos were high and the sound raw, primitive, and occult.
Speed is certainly a defining factor in Wampyric Rites’ sound, something that fits their approach perfectly. The shrieking vocals, combined with the relentless pounding of the drums and incessant cymbal clatter, pull the listener into another dimension, though this is very much a matter of taste.
Two tracks that briefly drag you straight to the gates of hell. Limited to 150 copies, so act fast, WolfKult releases rarely stick around for long.
75/100
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