Úlfarr - Orlegsceaft LP

Since 2011, ÚLFARR have stood for uncompromising, antisocial UK black metal - or, under their own banner of Cumbrian Black Metal. Helmed by Dominus, AKA Hrafn - who counts the equally prolific THY DYING LIGHT amongst his activities, as well as fellow labelmates NEFARIOUS DUSK and MORTE LUNE - ÚLFARR released a handful of demos, a couple splits, and most uniquely, a couple live albums before their debut mini-album, Hate & Terror - The Rise of Pure Evil, in 2019 and then another mini-album, The Ruins of Human Failure, two years later. Most recently, they released a split album with fellow UK horde MALFEITOR. Across these caustic recordings, ÚLFARR stoked the fires of old - namely, classic Craft, Darkthrone, Mayhem, One Head One Tail, and Death Cult.

Now ÚLFARR return with a revamped lineup and a revamped sound on their long-awaited debut album, Orlegsceaft. Joining Dominus here are erstwhile Exvoidxist / Forvitnast vocalist Játvarðr, HELVELLYN's Burns on bass, and MALFEITOR maiman Nosdrahcir on drums. As no doubt forecasted by its title, Orlegsceaft is written almost entirely in Old English, and most suitably do ÚLFARR shift gears toward a grim & ancient style of black metal. Whereas their sound of yore spit forth a hateful primitivism both punkish and headbanging, this older & bolder ÚLFARR take that hate toward more desolate and hypnotic ends; atmosphere is heightened, ghoulish and GRIM in aspect. In effect, Orlegsceaft undeniably sounds OLD(e), like a long-lost recording from 1995 given undead life through ghostly means. It's still recognizably ÚLFARR, but their attack cruises more cooly here and the vocals of Játvarðr raise the hackles with full-throated terror. And fucking RIFFS forever!

Against the modern world, more than ever, ÚLFARR take UKBM back to the dark ages with Orlegsceaft.