In Dakhma - 2024 - He Who Sows the Ground

(41:02; Tower of Silence Records)

Track list:
1. Ona Kraljuje Sama 4:02
2. Sacrum 3:52
3. In Dogma 5:48
4. Nothing but Filth 2:33
5. Sentinel Hill 5:27
6. Aeshma 3:39
7. Black Mat 1:14
8. Siblicide 2:48
9. Lies Beneath the Golden Ruins 2:42
10. Ellipsis 2:36
11. Tower of Silence 6:21

Line-up:
Vedran Nor - vocals, guitars
Matko Podobnik - drums
with:
Tomislav Ferenc - guitars
Darjan Fiolić - guitars, vocals, mandolin


Croatian band In Dakhma appears to have started out back in 2022, at least according to the Metal Archives website, and earlier this year they appeared with their first slice of recorded material with the single "Lies Beneath the Golden Ruins". In the late fall of 2024 the band was ready with their debut album "He Who Sows the Ground", which appears to have been self-released.

It is extreme metal that is the hunting ground of this twosome, and they take on this style of metal in an intriguing manner. They have opted for a fairly rich guitar sound for starters, where we get a majestic and firm feel but also with just a little bit of grit being a presence. The dark toned vocals supply grit in a more abundant manner, functioning as an emphasis for the subtle grit present in the guitar department as well as a contrast to the rich tones of that instrument due to the amount of grit being so much more a presence in the vocals. This creates quite the interesting mix of supplemental and contrasting elements that will strike a chord among many with a taste for metal that explore the darker parts of the tone register.

The songs are if not dynamic then at least varied in approach and execution from one composition to the next. We don't get too many songs with a frantic intensity and a high pace here, but rather material where the grit of the vocals and more occasional lapses into high pace and intensity landscapes flies the flag of the extreme metal tradition. Instead I'd say that rich, majestic and tension-filled arrangements are defining characteristics of the landscapes explored.

We get a good balance between chugging riff escapades, fluctuating patterns and circulating movements throughout, with a fair few instances of staccato aggression paving the way to boot. Sections with a bit more of a thrash metal orientation appear at regular intervals, and slower paced sections with a bit more of a doom metal feel and a greater emphasis on majestic arrangements is a recurring element too. With occasional lapses into a more atmospheric laden part of the metal landscape. Elegant flows and patterns as well as more vibrant and intense escapades are both present here, and those fond of more cutting guitar solo runs will have just about as much to enjoy as those who enjoy this part of the experience in a more fluent, flowing and elegant manner.

If you tend to enjoy extreme metal explored with a stronger emphasis on a rich and majestic dark toned sound where elegance and intensity are balanced and tension is more of a presence than frantic energy, chances are good that you should find this album to be an enjoyable one. Especially if a bit of grit and contrast is appreciated in such landscapes.

Olav M. Björnsen, November 2024

Links:
https://indakhma.com/