ALBUM REVIEW: Ofnus - Valediction

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Memories of Ofnus’s blistering live performance at 2024’s Darkness over Cumbria surge through my mind as I press play on this second full-length release. If I recall correctly, in that live review, I used the word stunning. This adjective may rear its descriptive head once more. The Welsh black metal five-piece does have an excellent track record. 

Their last album, Time Held Me Grey and Dying was introduced to me on one of our podcast recordings by Hutch. The album was discussed at this time, and I have been a fan ever since. 

This latest atmospheric black metal release begins in a powerful blast beat manner, leaving the listener in no doubt where this band plants its roots. Blast beats are not the only weapon in the Ofnus arsenal though; song writing is a major plus for this band. The tracks have the correct amount of black metal atmosphere to remove the listener from their mundane surroundings and transport them to a horrific, haunted wooded area or blood-soaked pagan altar. 


The growling, screaming vocals of William Philpot are mixed perfectly in this guitar-rich black metal church. Guitar solos are used very effectively in the compositions, allowing a song to sore high in the sections where it is required. There is talent all over this recording, The first track The Shattering, is a perfect example of this skill. This flair is not overused, and the six-stringed approach mix well with the symphonic keyboard flourishes. Traditional metal parts blend with the established black metal , giving a sinister yet fresh sound. Philpott’s vocals are stunning on this recording, a skill he certainly can replicate in a live setting. 

This band are a very special addition to the UK Black Metal scene, a genre where many a band can fall for lots of box-ticking tropes and not produce the goods. Ofnus managed to check off a few needed boxes, all the while letting the song writing and professionalism of the members to shine in a very dark and correctly bleak genre.


Valediction is released on 28th February via Naturmacht Productions
Album review by Neil 'Thrashtash' Bolton
Live photo by Hutch
Band shot by Konstantia Frasia Photopgraphy.

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