Holy fucking shit, this album does not mess about. From the very first seconds of opening track Spirit of Gravity, Sargassus set their stall out on Vitruvian Rays. And what’s that stall selling, you ask? Nothing less than the blackest of black metal, sharpened into a blade, ready to rip your head off and piss down your neck. And let me tell you — it’s glorious.
There’s no faffing about here. No two-minute intro of wind sounds and church bells to “set the mood.” Sargassus kick the fucking door down and immediately set fire to the furniture. Spirit of Gravity is a statement of intent, and the intent is violence. Riffs crash down like burning pillars, the drumming is so savage it feels like it’s trying to tunnel into your ribcage, and the vocals? Pure blackened bile, spat like venom. By the end of the first track you already know: this isn’t just another “yeah, it’s decent” black metal record. This is a beast.
What makes Vitruvian Rays so effective is how it balances sheer aggression with clever pacing. Across its eight tracks, Sargassus aren’t afraid to shift gears. Sure, most of the time they’re blasting full throttle into the abyss, but every so often they ease off the pedal just enough to lure you into thinking you’re safe. Maybe a slower passage, maybe a clean guitar interlude, maybe a moment of brooding atmosphere. But don’t be fooled. Those moments aren’t mercy — they’re traps.
Just when you start to relax, the band comes roaring back twice as hard, smashing your face into the pavement all over again. It’s a bait-and-switch routine that keeps the record fresh and keeps you permanently on edge.
The production is spot on, too. It’s raw enough to keep the edges jagged and nasty — the kind of sound that makes you feel like this whole thing was recorded in a crumbling cathedral while the world burned outside. But it’s not so murky that the details get lost. You can actually hear the riffs cutting through, the bass rumbling underneath, and the drums pounding away with mechanical precision. It’s chaotic, but controlled chaos — and that’s exactly what black metal should be.
There’s not a dud track here, but the title track Vitruvian Rays deserves a mention. It’s a towering, spiralling descent into madness, equal parts atmosphere and sheer violence. Pahat Veräĵät hits like a sledgehammer, layering riffs that feel like they’re being dragged straight from the void. And closer Zealot wraps the whole experience up in a way that leaves you drained, battered, but grinning like a lunatic.
What I admire most about this record is that it’s uncompromising. Sargassus aren’t trying to make black metal palatable for outsiders. There are no concessions here, no attempts at accessibility. This is pure, unfiltered rage, written and played for people who fucking love this genre and want it nasty, ugly, and complex.as hell.
This album is damn near perfect in its intent and execution. It grabbed me, it battered me, and it left me wanting to hit play again immediately. That’s all I ever ask of black metal, and Sargassus fucking delivered.
So if you’re looking for a black metal record that doesn’t just play the game but sets the pitch on fire and salts the earth afterwards, Vitruvian Rays is the one. Just be ready to lose your head — because Sargassus won’t hesitate to take it.
Vitruvian Rays is out now on Inverse Records.
CHOICE CUT: Pahat Veräĵät
RATING: 4 OUT OF 5
RATING SYSTEM:
- 0: Fucking Shit
- 1: Shit
- 2: Not Bad Shit
- 3: Pretty Good Shit
- 4: Amazing Fucking Shit
- 5: The Best Shit You Will Ever Hear
PRESS SOURCE: Inverse Records.
