Boarhammer/II: Chemognosis - A Shortcut To Mushrooms/Naturmacht Productions/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Boarhammer  are  a  duo  form  Germany  that h as  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  old  school,  occult  and  ritualistic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  album  "II:  Chemognosis  -  A  Shortcut  To  Mushrooms"  which  will  be  released  in  2024  by  Naturmacht  Productions.

  Nature  sounds  start  off  the  album  while  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  synths  and  tribal  style  drumming  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  direction.  Clear  singing  can  also be  heard  on  a  few  tracks while  the  vocals  are  done  in  mostly  a  black  metal  style  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  lot  of  blast beats  can  b4e  heard.

  When  tremolo  picking  is  utilized  they  also  give  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling  while  the  music  also  adds  in  a  lot  of  first  wave  touches.  Shouts  are  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  o  couple  of  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  spoken  word  parts  and  acoustic  guitars  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them. 

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in a   decent  amount  of  melody.  Some  of  the  tracks  also  show  an  influence  of  traditional  metal,  the  music  also  has  its  psychedelic  and  ritualistic  moments  moments  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Ancient  Folk  Magick  and  the  magickal  uses  of  herbs  and  psychedelics.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Boarhammer  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  old  school,  occult  and  ritualistic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Skeins  Of  Demented  Magick"  "Arboreal  portal  Ritual"  and  "The  Witch".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.instagram.com/thetrueboarhammer/       

Boarhammer Interview

 

1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?

BOARHAMMER has come into existence in the summer tide of 2020. While hiking in the midnight woods under the influence of absinthe spirit one summer night, Wodwoz and the Vessel were called upon by the mighty entity that is BOARHAMMER. They were given the mission to channel the BOARHAMMER’s energy into black metal music, thereby spreading the gospel of the boar god.

2. Recently you have released a new demo, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

We were told by the BOARHAMMER to transform its animalistic nature into a fitting sound. We decided to go for a primitive kind of black metal, going back to the genre’s roots and adding some second wave influences to the mix. 

3. Your lyrics cover wood mysticism, ambient folk magick and the strangeness of liquids and herbs, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these esoteric practices?

For the Vessel, it all started several years ago in witch county, East Anglia. During a longer stay there, the Vessel got in touch with practices of folk magick, hedge witchcraft, the arts of cunning folk, and ancient traditions in folk medicine. He also developed an interest in chaos magick. 

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Boarhammer'?

The name was transmitted to us via a complicated absinthe ritual involving the drink itself as well as other substances that should better be left unnamed. 

5. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the demo cover?

The artwork represents the title of our first demo tape. We sometimes like to include wands in our rituals. On other occasions, we just like to light a fire.

6. Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding your line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?

The number of members of the BOARHAMMER is irrelevant. BOARHAMMER is.

7. On the demo you have also done a 'Mercyful Fate' cover, what was the decision behind doing your own version of one of their songs?

[Gazes into his glass of red wine, pondering the question thoroughly… after five minutes:] Satan.

8. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

The BOARHAMMER would be grateful for any opportunity allowing him to spread his gospel to a wider audience.

9. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?

Since we are about to release our first demo, the black metal community is pretty much unaware of our existence. As far as first reactions go, we feel like hitting a nerve with people who are into first wave black metal. However, we have just started trying to reach people, and we appreciate all options to spread our music and are deeply thankful for every person that enjoys our music and supports the BOARHAMMER in any way.

10. When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

We are already working on new material, but there are no concrete plans for a next release yet. Of course, we will answer the BOARHAMMER’s call and continue on the path we have stepped upon.

11. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

We enjoy listening to many different kinds of music, but it would be safe to say that black metal and death metal are the genres that have the most influence on the BOARHAMMER. We don’t have to mention the obvious first and second wave classics, but here are a few more recent bands that correspond with our musical vision: SPECTRES & TEETH, WULKANAZ, OMINOUS RESURRECTION, MALOKARPATAN, FUNEREAL PRESENCE, SPIRIT POSSESSION, WHITE NIGHTS!

12. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts? 

Thank you very much for the interview as well as the review you did for us earlier! Keep up the support of underground heavy metal music! 

https://boarhammer.bandcamp.com

Boarhammer/I: Cutting Wood For Magickal Purposes/2021 Demo Review

 

  Boarhammer  are  a  duo  from  Germany  that  plays  a  very  old  school  and  ritualistic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2021  demo  "I:  Cutting  Wood  For  Magickal  Purposes"  which  will  be  released  in  December.

  Ritualistic  soundscapes  start  off  the  demo  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  Vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams  which  also  add  in  a  touch  of  the  first  wave  era  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  along  with  the  music  also adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  90's  influences.   

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  spoken  word  parts  enhancing  the  ritualistic  side  of  the  music  when  they  are  utilized  as  well  as  one  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  a  small  amount  of  melody  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  and  the  demo  also  closes  with  a  cover  of  Mercyful  Fate's  "Black  Funeral".  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  wood  mysticism,  ancient  folk  magick  and  the  strangeness  of  liquids  and  herbs.

  In  my  opinion  Boarhammer  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  and  ritualistic  black  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  demo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Channeling  Wormwood  Spirits"  and  "The  Trees  Are  no  Trees".  8  out  of  10.

https://boarhammer.bandcamp.com