28th April 2025

Review: “Stryx Strega Strygae” by Strega

Shrouded in artwork by Renato Florindi (Deviate Damaen) are the cryptic writings of Blackened Heavy Metal hex Strega, an entity that features unnamed musicians from the ranks of both Ponte Del Diavolo and Darkend. What is known is the band are a five piece who for this record at least are accompanied by organ and synth master Il Diavolo Misterioso, a musician known for guest appearances on works by Doomraiser and the aforementioned Deviate Damaen. They claim a style mixing 80’s Traditional Heavy Metal with Black Metal using dark fantasy atmospherics and aesthetics with all lyrics in Arrakyan, their very own peculiar language. So the hex has been cast. The question is, will you expose your soul the curse and become bewitched?

Imagine for a moment, if you will, the soundscapes inked by such household names as King Diamond, Morgul Blade or even Judas Priest. Now imagine those songs sung… well… screamed by Dani Filth of Cradle Of Filth or George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher from Cannibal Corpse. In a nutshell that’s the concept behind Strega. Classic 80’s Traditional Heavy Metal but with Black Metal vocals and theatrical keyboards, something that becomes clear in the first 60 seconds or so of title track and opening gambit “Stryx Strega Strygae“. What’s surreal about it is that the backing vocals aren’t harsh at all but in keeping with the Traditional Heavy Metal sound. It’s like a dark new door has been opened into a nightmarish realm in which reality has been turned on its head, the lush melodic leads lulling you into a false sense of security before those savage vocals cut like a knife shortly thereafter. On paper it shouldn’t work for even a second, especially as the vocals are in an Alien tongue but bizarrely, after getting your head around the concept, you can’t help but enjoy this burnt offering. It feels tastefully occult and almost ritualistic, something that comes to the fore with some almost tribal drum fills during second cut “Era Kuolemann“. Again the glorious leads shine in a gloriously nostalgic sound that does indeed bewitch. A high pitched scream mid cut is followed by a brutal verse, the tinkling of the ivories that follows giving it spooky vibes. The galloping drums and funky bass of “Til-Aar Hyleventïdar” changes the direction with extended instrumental passages that have a 70’s Progressive Rock vibe to them, something that only seems to make the harsh vocal parts sound that much more caustic. By the end you almost expect a cover of “Breaking The Law” or “Eye Of The Witch” to appear as if summoned… [7.5/10]