Metalcatto
It’s been a while since we’ve had some Post-Black Metal in our hands. You know how it goes with these types of albums: they either end up on a best-of-the-year list or fade into oblivion. There’s rarely anything in between. However, Oskoreien is a band that, despite having few releases, has been around for a while, which is why I approached Hollow Fangs with a decent amount of respect—and even a little hope. Besides, I kind of dig that dragon artwork (no, the dragon doesn’t look goofy—it’s art!). Now, let’s start throwing down.
Despite its name, Hollow Fangs does bite with intention. The cathartic nature of the music, along with the subtle melodic work, is reminiscent of Agalloch (if you took all the folk out) and Groza (if you removed the melodrama). What’s left is something more violent, but also more intricate in its arrangements. It has that raw Wildernessking edge—you can feel the pain, sure, but it also brings a breath of fresh air you didn’t realize you needed. It’s like being wet and cold, then stepping into a warm room and suddenly realizing how miserable you were before.
Oskoreien could’ve played it safe and just tremolo-picked us to death like many other bands in the subgenre. But the guitar and bass work constantly shift the mood, throwing in new ideas and variations. I’m especially fascinated by how subdued the vocals are in the mix. Finally, someone gets that extreme Metal vocals are another instrument—they don’t always need to scream over everything. That “under-the-breath” shrieking really made Hollow Fangs stick with me long after the last note. Now, onto the stuff that made us cry in a bad way.
I know I just praised the vocals, but one downside of mixing them so organically and raw is that I have no clue if there are even lyrics. Not that I care personally—but the sensitive among you might. Also, while all the tracks follow a similar structure, they stay engaging throughout. I’m just glad there’s no pretentious “atmospheric” interlude track with glitchy electronics wasting our time. That said, the pacing can feel a little uneven—but hey, it’s not Harakiri for the Sky jarring, so relax.
As someone who gets punched in the liver here and there, it was nice that Hollow Fangs managed to hit me right in the feels. And it did so without drama, sad decipherable lyrics, or even mellow MeloDeath riffs. That’s not easy—unless you’re Finnish, of course—but Oskoreien managed to make a genuinely depressing album I can return to without feeling ashamed. So thanks, guys. Hopefully we’ll hear from you again. If not, it was a fun ride either way!
Label: Independent
Release date: 20 July, 2025
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Oskoreienband/
Country: USA
Score: 3.8/5.0, I might revise it later!
Metal Eclipse Reviews 