EP Review: Entität "Schwarzmassa" (Independent) by Dave Wolff

Band: Entität

Country: USA/Malta

Genre: Black Metal

EP: Schwarzmassa

Format: Digital album

Label: Independent

Release date: September 18, 2020

Entität is a self-proclaimed anti-NSBM black metal band based in Malta. Black metal bands taking a position against national socalist black metal is a recent development but is growing in underground circles. Compilations like Resistance, Crushing Intolerance and Worldwide Organization of Metalheads Against Nazis are making rounds on social media and streaming platforms and there was even an article published in Kerrang! in 2019. Formed by Nagoth of Cursed Be Thy Flesh (US/France) and Marton Saliba of Sahhar (Malta), Entität is apparently part of this phenomenon that has been gaining steam in print and underground networking. A few days before their debut EP “Schwarzmassa” they released a debut single “Dreams of a Silent Place” on Youtube and Bandcamp. While these releases are not too remarkable they’re solid introductions to the band if you like mid-tempo compositions with coarse-grained vocals and vitriolic guitars. The band plays with a minimal amount of groove, just enough to immerse you in the biting, acerbic mood the band sets from the opening riff of “Treasures of Eternal Chaos.” Nagoth may completely forego the clean vocal approach to the black metal genre but he nonetheless enunciates the lyrics so you can clearly distinguish what he’s saying. I couldn’t make out the bass as much as the other instruments, which is a roadblock I often encounter with new bands, but the drums deserve mention as they fill the songs with loads of energy and dexterity without rushing them too hurriedly. The band’s sound overall is traditional 90’s black metal with touches of Bathory, Necromantia, war metal and the groove mentioned earlier. Entität include a Rotting Christ cover at the end of the EP that remains faithful to the original while adding their own flavor. –Dave Wolff

Lineup:

Nagoth: Vocals

Marton Saliba: All instruments

Track list:

1. Treasures of Eternal Chaos

2. Gräuel

3. Vers I’autel Noir (Towards the Black Altar)

4. Visions of a Blind Order (Rotting Christ cover)