Gnosis of the Witch – Dauðr Burðr Þrysvar [US, Black] (2014)

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Iron Bonehead Productions | 6-14-14

Iron Bonehead Productions | 6-14-14

Alright. So this is what is happening now. I see. Might as well go to the ground and cover my head for the ensuing storm. It was nice knowing all of you. If there is anything I can count on Iron Bonehead doing, it is unearthing this album that should have remained undiscovered. Not because said things are terrible, rather the world can only hold so much darkness and evil at one time that the very fabric of order might begin to fray. The planet is not ready for Gnosis of the Witch.

To be fair, Dauðr Burðr Þrysvar was released on Bandcamp in October of last year but is now beginning its proper destruction through Iron Bonehead. Dauðr Burðr Þrysvar is the twin to another EP entitled Rún Af Inn Auðr, which has yet to find a re-release or complete streaming form. Dauðr Burðr Þrysvar is perhaps the better introduction to the capability of this band. After being given a clearer production, this short EP fills out its time with vicious black metal that has no qualms about its connection to the dark arts. With song titles written in old Nordic and no lyrics to be found, the intensity of Gnosis of the Witch is well communicated despite there being a huge gap of information.

Dauðr Burðr Þrysvar is an odd EP, with the first track being dedicated entirely to atmosphere. The final track, “Dauðiþursar Seiðr,” also gives way to some moody synthscapes. This is strange considering the middle half of the EP features unrelenting black metal. Dauðr Burðr Þrysvar would be interesting if the whole EP was filled with only blistering black metal. The fact that the band takes a short amount of time to do things expected of them makes this EP something special. Gnosis of the Witch is a band that is very capable of making interesting records and possibly a marvelous full length. The world cannot handle this type of evil, but seeing as it is already released, we might as well enjoy the short time we have left.