Throat |Beyond The Devil's Shroud |Primitive Reaction

Release Date 13.03.2026
Format CD/Digital
Genre Black Metal
Country: Poland

Hailing from the fertile grounds of Poland, Throat emerges not as another hooded clone but as a distinct entity worshiping the obscure. Before this full-length, they dropped the "New Flesh Nectar" demo back in 2020 and the "Blood Exaltation" EP in 2024, signaling their intent to deviate from the standard Polish sound. They draw their poison from a different well, looking towards the unorthodox sounds of bands like Necromantia, Mortuary Drape, and the twisted legacy of Tormentor. "Beyond The Devil's Shroud" marks their first proper campaign under the banner of Primitive Reaction.

The sound here is drenched in reverb and ancient decay. Throat opts for a production style that sounds like it was captured in a damp crypt rather than a studio. The guitars have a strange, clanging quality that scrapes against the eardrums, while the bass rumbles with a prominent, distorted presence. It creates a suffocating atmosphere that feels genuinely old and hostile. The band avoids the polished, hyper-speed approach common in modern black metal, favoring a mid-tempo stomp that allows the darkness to settle in and fester.

Listening to "Beyond The Devil's Shroud" recalls the feeling of discovering a lost tape from the early 90s. The songwriting relies on hypnotic repetition and bizarre, twisting riffs that channel the spirit of early Samael or the insanity of Cultes Des Ghoules. The vocals are tortured rasps that sit buried in the mix, adding to the disorienting effect. There is a primitive energy here that feels authentic, ignoring modern trends in favor of a specific, ritualistic wretchedness.

While the dedication to this specific niche of black metal is admirable, the album occasionally wanders. The lengthy runtimes, particularly on the opening track, demand patience. The hypnotic nature of the music works well, but there are moments where the tension slackens before picking back up. It is a specific flavor of rot that won't appeal to everyone, specifically those looking for constant blasts or high-fidelity clarity. However, for those who dig deep into the underground, the oddities here are part of the charm.

Throat has delivered a debut that succeeds in establishing a vile identity. It is a promising start that captures the essence of medieval witchcraft and southern black metal weirdness. "Beyond The Devil's Shroud" is a dirty, cavernous experience that pays tribute to its influences without shame. It is a worthy addition to the shelf for anyone who prefers their metal to smell like incense and sulfur.

Score: 7.0

www.devilsthroat.bandcamp.com

www.primitivereaction.com