Review: “Self Titled” by Macocha

Taking their name from an iconic landmark in the Moravian Karst, the largest abyss in Europe, shrouded in dark and mysterious folklore, Macocha hail from Blansko in the Czech Republic. Formed in the spring of 2022 with a mutual love of heavy riffs and blackened atmospheres, they recorded their debut self titled album at the legendary Kohlekeller Studios (Aborted, Powerwolf, Benighted). Cutting raw aggression with haunting melodies while adding a fresh spin on the classic HM-2 chainsaw sound, their lyrics delve into themes of death, futility, hopelessness, human morality and the search for life’s meaning…

Between 2005 and 2010 vocalist and guitarist Adam Rolný and bassist Josef Novák were in a Melodic Death Metal band called Dreams Will Die who released a single demo in 2006. It doesn’t take long to realise just how much they have learned from that experience and joined by drummer Miloš Janák and Jan Theiger, this second throw of the dice is all the richer for it. The atmospheric introduction of “Everlasting Dust” is beautifully foreboding with Post-Metal qualities wrapped around its sinister Black Metal edges like a Boa Constrictor around the neck. Rolný’s vocals breathe life into everything, his style on the shriller side of things which could be an acquired taste for some but fits the soundscape perfectly. A death march with a whirlwind of percussive battery leading into a head bangable mosh part “Into The Abyss” is a stone cold winner from the very start. Transcending through Black Metal into a dark and almost mournful melodic passage makes for a wonderful moment of clarity, the piano adding an icy touch before diving back into the dark waters of their heavier riffage. Buzzsaw guitars with subtle hints at Melodic Death Metal leads that are purposefully understated in the mix “Gallows” is a majestic piece of Metal interwoven with powerful percussive battery and a clear message.

Scandinavian roots are on show with “Relics“, a cut with in interesting lyrical narrative about those who seek to influence and control by spreading the word of false prophets, selling a dream to those desperate enough to hear it. A blunt force trauma of powerful blackened rhythms, it crushes skulls from the very start. It wouldn’t surprise if Gojira were an influence, Macocha flex similar muscles in parts of their angular approach, “Nameless Grave” bringing back those majestic buried Melodic Death Metal style leads rather than going all out with a flamboyant solo. The four piece have chosen a distinctive abrasive Noise Metal overlay to everything they do here to add a weight and gravity to everything and destroy everyone and everything in their path. “Dagger” is perhaps the only real deviation from that narrative with a freer, less oppressive Black ‘n Roll quality to it but even so it still has all the other hallmark elements and doesn’t sound out of place by any stretch of the imagination. “Teeth Of The Beast” brings the nightmare to an end with pummelling percussion and rampaging riffs to delight. Rolný commands attention by telling the tale in the first person, as if looking through the eyes of a serial killer making sure that every word is understood in all of its true meaning. The guitars sound colossal, the drums thunderous and in all honesty the band have set themselves a very high standard here. Hopefully this is simply the beginning. [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Everlasting Dust
2. Into The Abyss
3. Gallows
4. Relics
5. Nameless Grave
6. Dagger
7. Teeth Of The Beast

“Self Titled” by Macocha was released on 21st June 2024 and is available over at bandcamp