Review: “Beyond Frozen Heights” by Huronian

Featuring in their ranks musicians known for their contributions to Hateful, Valgrind and Blood of Seklusion to name but a few, Italian Blackened Death Metal band Huronian have been of growing concern since their inception in 2020. They introduced themselves with a debut self titled EP showcasing a sound that is the essence of Black Metal soaked in classic Old School Swedish Death Metal riffs and guitar tones that concludes with a cover of “Heaven’s Damnation” by the almighty Dissection. That was followed in October 2021 by a very well received debut album in “As Cold as a Stranger Sunset”, pieced together thanks to the remote work and the great conceptual harmony between the members. There have been line up changes all along the way however the core of the group, their unholy trinity remains vocalist Daniele Lupidi, guitarist Umberto Poncina and drummer Marcello Malagoli…

The summer of 2022 saw Huronian playing in Portugal and Spain supporting the release of their debut album while earlier this year the band played a trio of shows in Italy in support of French legends Mercyless before returning the write once more. Completed entirely in house with the band writing, recording, mixing, mastering, arranging and creating artwork themselves, sophomore EP “Beyond Frozen Heights” is born of blood. Tastefully orchestrated, introduction piece “The Guild” is a wonderful flamenco guitar instrumental from Tommaso Pellegrini of impeccable musicianship. A breath taking moment with cinematic qualities that wouldn’t have fitted elsewhere on the record, it makes way for the pulverising “Torturer’s Creed“, smashing the illusion of grandeur in fear and delivering us to Evil. A rampaging masterclass in Blackened Death Metal with a cunning Thrash edge, this opening cut proper is soaked in blast beats from Marcello Malagoli while the dry, rasping vocals from Daniele Lupidi give it an Old School feel with modern production values.

A face melting guitar solo and a funky bass solo are highlights in the colossal “Over Frozen Heights Pt. 1“, the band producing some classic sinister Death Metal riffs to build a dark atmosphere that feels like it has plenty of 80’s genre influence. A vibrant and dare we say it flamboyant solo in the heart of “Over Frozen Heights Pt. 2” adds to some darker death growls from Lupidi, the restless and relentless kit work from Malagoli threatening to take the band into Death grind territory at points. Both pieces are wonderful examples of the best of the genre and not that it matters but you wonder why they were separated at birth. A final skull rattling moment, “Blazing Bolt of Hatred” has sumptuous leads, harnessing that raw edged quality of the recording and making the most of it. As a record this one is over far too fast and will have you going back to their debut album “As Cold as a Stranger Sunset” pretty damn quickly… [8/10]

Track Listing

1. The Guild (Intro)
2. Torturer’s Creed
3. Over Frozen Heights Pt. 1
4. Over Frozen Heights Pt. 2
5. Blazing Bolt of Hatred

“Beyond Frozen Heights” by Huronian is out now via Gruesome Records and is available over at bandcamp