Review: “Crosses Above The Ruins” by Vyr Muk

“From emotional death, emptiness, and isolation to the horrors of war, the struggle to preserve our humanity, and the rage of resistance against an aggressor – these songs are reflections of a world where the law of force prevails and destruction knows no borders. A cancerous force spreads, consuming everything in its path. The dead inherit the silence. The living carry the scars. And history continues to repeat itself in an endless cycle of blood, oppression and retribution” ~ Vyr Muk

Mastered by Alex Sedin (Anachronism, Essence Of Datum, White Ward) at Ghostalgy Prods in Paris and adorned by artwork created by Ksenia Vasylevska (Silvern, Ezkaton, U Kronakh) the next burnt offering from the prolific Blackened Death Metal force Vyr Muk has arrived in EP “Crosses Above The Ruins“. It surfaces just five months after the release of EP “Mens Devastata” as multi instrumentalist and vocalist Vladyslav Blizniuk refuses to rest, this time out exploring the ruins of the human soul and a world consumed by violence, oppression and the endless pursuit of power.

Accompanied by drums programmed by Viktor Litvin, Blizniuk screams in his native Ukrainian tongue over ripping barbed riffs as “Coffin Inside My Essence” delivers the kind of neck snapping groove that Maryland is famous for. A punishment beating of the highest order it’s an insanely addictive track which stops on a dime after just 150 seconds when it could easily go on another verse and chorus without anyone so much as batting an eyelid. Such is the quality of the rhythmic battery which has that distinctive menacing and sinister atmospheric that warns something wicked this way comes.

Another sub three minute affair “Fear Tax” slaps hard with a classic God Syndrome style Death Metal introduction that evolves into a burst of Black Metal so harsh that it feels like a sandblasting for the ear drums. A vicious little ditty, this one burns like wire, the harsh vocals providing the stark warning that if you wish to live you must beat your enemy to death because the world is deaf to justice.

Vocals rear their ugly head within the first second of the mid-tempo crusher that is “The Last Humanity“, a vision of graves as far as the eye can see and a clenched fist of defiance. A swirling solo adds an eerie moment to the otherwise savage beating, the pounding percussion a programmed means to an ends that fortunately favours being replaced by a drummer of flesh and bone should Vyr Muk wish to perform any of these songs live.

A call for white hot iron to cleanse the earth of sin, “Metastases of the Empire” offers more throat splitting vocals over barbed riffs, this time with a couple of hints at Technical Death Metal inspirational as the knife rises. Slick and well crafted, its abundantly clear that Blizniuk is not only a prolific multi instrumentalist and vocalist but also one who possesses the ability to create soundscapes of verve and swagger.

Switching seamlessly from a shriller harsh vocal to a deeper, darker death growl for “You Will Reap What You Sow” is a nice touch, the track a statement piece about defending ones territory against a foreign invader. The influence of American 90’s Death Metal bands runs through the veins of this one and again it feels like it stops a little short as the opportunity to evolve yet further is passed up in favour of keeping the tracks concise.

That’s by no means a bad thing as “Millstone of History” slaps just as hard, screaming about the cycle of decay, war and bloodshed that repeats itself as humanity brings about its own total annihilation. A nostalgic sound free from the thrills and spills of blistering virtuoso solos, haunting keys or guest appearances, this record will have you reaching for the lyric sheet as you wonder what good comes from war because underneath the weight of the Blackened Death Metal onslaught this is a thoughtful burnt offering [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Coffin Inside My Essence
2. Fear Tax
3. The Last Humanity
4. Metastases of the Empire
5. You Will Reap What You Sow
6. Millstone of History

“Crosses Above The Ruins” by Vyr Muk is out 16th October 2026 and is available over at bandcamp.