Wampyric Rites - Summoning The Beasts In The Night Of Lycanthropic Moon

Labels: Inferna Profundus Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 01 Nov 2024

Tracklist:

1. Chapter - I

2. Chapter - II

3. Chapter - III

4. Chapter - IV

Ecuadorian/Chilean black metal trio Wampyric Rites released their latest EP in November of last year, via Lithuanian black metal label Inferna Profundus Records. Since their inception in 2019, Wampyric Rites have released countless demos, EPs, singles and split releases, as well as two full-lengths. They form part of the expansive Pure Raw Underground Black Metal Plague circle in South America, as well as the Old True Dungeon Synth Committee (according to Metal Archives). 

Tomorrow will be the shortest day of the year in the UK (in terms of sunlight), so it seems fitting that it should be ushered in with some lo-fi black metal. Wampyric Rites get that dubious honour this evening and even though this EP was released over a year ago, it’s still their latest body of work and therefore it deserves more coverage. ‘Chapter - I’ opens Summoning The Beasts In The Night Of Lycanthropic Moon with what I would call an ambient instrumental, though I know a lot of you would call it Dungeon Synth, maybe. With that being said, it’s a lovely intro piece.

‘Chapter - II’ emerges a few moments later with crisp opening riffs and raw percussion, before typically wailing vocals kick in. The pace is pretty frenetic, adding to an intensity that’s hard to ignore. This song stretches to nearly fifteen minutes in length, so there’s a lot to take in. It can’t possibly be appreciated in just one sitting, so repeat listens are a must. When it does click, the ungodly black metal of Wampyric Rites truly hits the spot. So much so in fact that my neighbour upstairs is banging on the floor (though that may be more to do with the volume of my typing than anything!).

I’m really enjoying the true, old-school rawness of this release so far and the fact that it’s peppered with melodic guitar helps as well. Black metal that’s truly listenable in all of it’s forms. ‘Chapter - III’ continues in the exact same vein with fast percussive tempos, almost-falsetto cries and unearthly growls, alongside galloping guitars. It only just surpasses the four-minute mark but it seems to take on a much longer form.

Closing with ‘Chapter - IV’ Wampyric Rites continue their belligerent black metal march with supreme efficiency and twenty-twenty musical vision. I guess that comes with five years of consistent musical output. Even later on in the song when they seem to slow things down tempo-wise, the intensity doesn’t properly end. Instead, there’s just a bit of respite before things ratchet up again.

Inferna Profundus Records are now well known in underground circles for the quality of what they release and this record from Wampyric Rites is no different. Authentic and raw, yet melodic and well-written/produced black metal might sound like an oxymoron but it’s the truth. This is fantastic.

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally via bandcamp below:-

Physical copies are available to purchase from Inferna Profundus Records here:-

https://www.ipr666shop.com/inferna-profundus-releases/

Wampyric Rites Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wampyric_rites/

Inferna Profundus Records - https://www.facebook.com/ipr666