When you play 7 Uthras, be prepared to enter a post-apocalyptic world where shadows prevail. This is the second album by Ulvtharm, a musical project from the creative mind of Jouni Ollila, who is also the co-founder of the black industrial group MZ 412. In this new work, he constructs a decaying landscape where all hope is seemingly lost for humanity. The amalgamation of dark ambient and industrial sounds delivers an enigmatic and cinematic listening experience.
Uthras are recognized as benevolent beings in mythology, but in this world, they are not kind. Instead, they are presented as seven powerful ancient entities, bringing chaos upon the earth and exposing the havoc humans have wreaked. The seven tracks appear to convey a cryptic message from each of the Seven Uthras.
The opening track, “Plague,” immediately transports you to a destitute realm, akin to a dark welcome. Suddenly, you hear the sinister vocals of Ollila, chanting and summoning otherworldly forces. His vocals throughout the album possess an ominous quality that is eerie and wraithlike. The proceeding tracks continue to descend deeper into this hellish soundscape.
“Sinners Will Inherit The Earth” shatters the existence of humankind with a machine-like energy. The accompanying music video is a demented and fantastic visual presentation of the dual nature inherent in humans. “New Dawn” follows with a strong intro and heavy industrial beat. A steady, pounding rhythm dominates as you hear lyrics containing words such as “humans,” “disgrace” and “waste.”
Then we enter the midpoint of the LP with “All Hail The Serpents.” Halfway through, the track reaches a powerful climax that encompasses a prominent industrial sound. It vigorously heralds the rule of the serpents. “Blvck Daath” is more subdued compared to the previous piece but no less impactful. It opens with haunting whispers that sound like hissing snakes. The tone is grim and foreboding.
“Bloodletting Of Magna Mater” possesses a ritualistic energy that’s profane and unholy. It plunges listeners further into the murky abyss. “The Beginning And The End” closes out the album. Ollila opens it with a robotic speech, then the piece gradually builds with climactic energy and sustains it throughout. There’s a mix of triumph and destitution; creation and destruction.
As someone who has a deep appreciation for dark ambient music, I really enjoyed 7 Uthras. As a whole, it is a darkly poetic album that takes listeners on a journey through an arcane reality. If you enjoy the music of Dahlia’s Tear and Atrium Carceri, then Ulvtharm is right up your alley.
You can listen to 7 Uthras by Ulvtharm on various platforms and physical copies are available to purchase. Watch the music video to “Sinners Will Inherit The Earth” below.
Vamp Jenn's Corner 