Achren - The White Death

This Scottish trio have been off my radar for quite some years, but 2014 brings a new 3 track EP limited to 250 copies in digipack format. Achren are still the blackened death/thrash force that they always were, but on this EP it is clear that time has served them well with the theme of the release being based upon Simo Häyhä, a Finnish sniper with over five-hundred confirmed kills recorded during World War II.

Opener ‘Archangel’ still has the raw delivery of their earlier material (and a cool solo) but when you get to ‘The Eschatologist’ then you hear band improvements and not only applicable to the production of the recorded material. Achren present more epic song structures with the inclusion of variation of vocal styles which is a nice touch. This commands your attention because of its balance within the darker spectrum of this genre and plants a massive groove or hook in your head. There are certainly many passages of black metal included that create atmosphere and character without losing their “blood metal” tag, as Achren themselves like to describe their music, there is a warrior/Amon Amarth feel to some of the rhythms in general on this track.

The final track ‘Suomen Susi’ with its slow burning start, has me thinking that the band have completely changed, however, once the speed increases part way through you receive steadfast battle scars flirtations between the melodic and the raw, the ambience and transition is strong.

Achren have certainly matured, their song structures have more foundation and their delivery is really improved compared to earlier material by becoming more creative or rather more adventurous.