(written by Islander)
Last year the Portuguese metal band Black Hill Cove released their second full-length, Ex Tenebris Vita, on Raging Planet Records, and now they’re following that up with a new single named “Into the Abyss”, which we’re premiering today along with its accompanying video.
On this new song the band collaborated with Norwegian drummer Tomas Myklebust as well as vocalist Ana Cristina Carvalho, who has appeared on previous Black Hill Cove releases. The band have also recently announced that Portuguese drummer Ricardo Oliveira has joined the band, reinforcing the lineup in preparation for upcoming live shows (more about that later in this feature).
On this new song Black Hill Cove throw a lot of thrilling and chilling sensations at listeners, a dark stylistic amalgam that’s viscerally groovesome, authentically angry, and even evil, but also melodically atmospheric in ways that are bleak and haunting.
Even on simply a first listen, the song also proves to be damned addictive. It grabs attention right away with grim spoken words and tonal feverishness, then begins to break open with a gritty riff that surges in vicious pulsating bursts. Rui Correia furiously howls and grimly snarls the lyrics, and there’s plenty of grit in his voice too, and a raw intensity in his delivery.
The riffing seems to brood and groan but also convulses in disturbing, fleet-fingered frenzies, accented by finger-tapped bass-work. The song doubles down on its dark moods when Ana Cristina Carvalho begins singing, accompanied by a desolate melody. When Ana appears a second time, her voice soars, and the music seems to resiliently soar as well, paving the way into a riveting guitar solo. But the song’s aura of bleakness and despair never really goes away, and it ends in a hard-slugging hardcore way that sounds cold and furious.
All of this is backed by machine-precise drumwork and lead-heavy bass-lines. On top of all that, the video that brings the song your way is very well-made, and an excellent demonstration of how well Black Hill Cove command a stage.
Previously we mentioned that Black Hill Cove are preparing for live shows with their full new lineup. The first of those are scheduled on back-to-back nights this coming weekend in Lisbon and Porto, where they will be joined by Sacred Sin (PT) and The Troops of Doom (BR) — and Ana Cristina Carvalho will also join the band for these live performances. Details here:
November 29 — RCA Club, Lisbon
November 30 — Woodstock 69 Rock Bar, Porto
“Into the Abyss” was recorded at Subpainexit Studios. It was produced, mixed, and mastered by Nuno Aguiar de Loureiro. The song will be available today on Raging Planet’s Bandcamp, and on other streaming platforms on November 28th. Check the links below.
https://ragingplanet.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/blackhillcove
https://www.facebook.com/Blackhillcove
