Owls Woods Graves | Strix | Malignant Voices

Release Date: 17 October 2025

Format: CD, LP, Digital

Genre: Blackened/Punk Metal

Country: Poland

Owls Woods Graves began in 2015, created by The Fall and E.V.T., musicians known from Medico Peste and live activity with Mgła among other projects. Their work turns to stories about witches, forests, the Devil and those who serve him, shaped through a raw mix of black metal and punk. The group describes their sound as haunted woods hardcore, a direct phrase that fits their approach. “Strix” arrives as their third full-length release through Malignant Voices, followed by a Polish tour that runs through late 2025 and early 2026, then festival appearances around Europe.

 “Strix” steps forward with a rough and instinctive pulse, keeping the energy high from start to finish. Owls Woods Graves move with speed and clarity, using short and striking song construction. The album keeps the aggression straight to the point. The riffs come in fast, shaped by black metal roots but sharpened with punk urgency. The band goes straight to the attack every time, using repetition as momentum.

The vocals are harsh with almost feral tone, matching the mythical creature that gave the album its name. The delivery is tight, sharp-edged and pushed forward as if dragged from some old forest story told around a fire. The bass and drums keep everything grounded, supporting the guitar lines without creating any added noise. The whole album stands on raw energy, quick pacing and a blunt direction.

Some tracks open with a more menacing crawl, others explode without warning. Longer tracks like “Winged They Come” give the band space to stretch the tension, although they still keep things controlled and direct. Shorter cuts like “Anarcho-Occultism” strike fast like punches. The album moves with firm approach, never pausing for atmosphere or extended build-up. Instead, it moves like a creature that hunts by instinct.

Even with this direct approach, “Strix” is not one-dimensional. There is variation in riff character, tempo changes and vocal phrasing, enough to give the album shape without drifting into excess. Owls Woods Graves keeps the core idea constant, but they give it different angles. The album as a whole offers strong identity, a clear voice and a sound that fits the themes behind it.

This is an album built on raw energy, fierce storytelling and a fast underground spirit. It stands firmly in the path the band has chosen, without dressing things up or trying to switch direction mid-way. Fans of blackened punk, extreme metal with a street-level approach and anything that has a rough strike will connect quickly with what Owls Woods Graves presents here. “Strix” lands as a solid addition to their catalog, showing a band that continues to move forward with focus and determination.

Score: 7.0

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