apanthropy

Robust
Robust
Terratur Possessions
Released: 4/8/2025

Rating: 90/100

“Robust on their self-titled debut channel pure raw black metal energy and deliver it in a way that feels deeply invoked, methodical, and meticulously executed.”

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1 – Form of a Bear
2 – Enchanter
3 – Spell Translation
4 – Feather Key
5 – Sulphurous Ash
6 – Infinity Boast
7 – Reconciliation
8 – Debris
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Raw black metal, generally, has the curb appeal of an abandoned house infested with roaches in a dilapidated neighborhood. It just simply isn’t very inviting and, of course, that is entirely by design. Those willing to explore the genre are often met with low-fi production, repetitive compositions, or very primitive instrumentation due to many bands often being comprised of a single member. But it’s a genre worth exploring because it is possibly one of the most base forms of primal expression in the entire music world. Robust on their self-titled debut channel pure raw black metal energy and deliver it in a way that feels deeply invoked, methodical, and meticulously executed. Released through Terratur Possessions, Robust present eight tracks clocking in at a little over 46 minutes of music. Fans of Candelabrum, Akitsa, Leviathan, and early Gorgoroth are going to be deeply appreciative of this album.

Opening with ‘Form of a Bear,’ the pace is set and should be of immediate interest. With its moderately fast entry tempo, unorthodox rhythm patterns, and melodic riff crafting, Robust challenge the general convention of raw black metal. With vocals ranging from insane shrieks to deep gutturals, the song is whipped with an unearthly fury by their constant onslaught. The composition itself is masterful, with many tempo changes and plenty of variation that feels well thought out and well connected. The riff structuring is simply flawless. It is the main engine of the album, and it delivers for the genre in a big way. Excellent melodic sensibilities that invoke the best of the early black metal scene, the playing, note for note, is just simply brilliant across the board.

Other tracks such as ‘Spell Translation’ are short bursts of sonic information, loaded with great riffs, plenty of structural variation, and a deep infliction of murky immersion. ‘Infinity Boast,’ is a thrashing beast of a track that opens with a near punk rock style beat and the central riff is predicated on a galloping and powerful bass line. This is like black metal Motorhead mixed with the first two Gorgoroth records, with a ripping guitar solo and breakdowns. It’s a very unique take on what the genre is capable of doing in the hands of those willing to push the formula past its usual boundaries.

Not everything is fast and to the point, other tracks such as ‘Feather Key’ and ‘Reconciliation’ push near the 10-minute mark. ‘Feather Key’ crawls like a stalking horror for the first several minutes of the song, slow and evil. A bridge of clean guitars leads into a faster paced segment that features a galloping drum rhythm and more lead work. ‘Reconciliation’ opens with a beautiful lightly distorted riff that repeats for several minutes, the drumming is crisp and precise during these slower tempos, and everything really has an opportunity to be presented with unusually perfect clarity for the listener.

These compositions and their structures, as a whole and individual instruments, really show a lot of dedication put into this record. Production is raw but not to a point of sonic domination, guitars are animated, the drums are more focused in the middle of the overall sound, and there is an actual bass guitar presence that isn’t just simply doubling the guitar riffs. There is a lot of talent at work here and it makes for a great black metal record in the 2025 scene.

Fans of raw black metal or early black metal should definitely seek this one out. It’s an enjoyable listen that flies by and doesn’t feel like a 46-minute-long record. This is good for repeated listening.

Label: Terratur Possessions
Band: Robust

This review was originally written for Voices From the Darkside.