Discover the Early Years of Austrian Post-Black Metal Duo Harakiri for the Sky

Austrian post-black metal duo Harakiri for the Sky has decided to re-record its first two records and the results are particularly convincing. While second output Aokigahara has been reissued as a wonderful box set with a bonus track, a patch and a shot glass, the band's self-titled debut effort hasn't received the same treatment which fits however perfectly. The debut album is short, raw and intense and doesn't need a more glamorous special edition.

Many bands who decide to record material of the early years again fail to capture the spirit of yore and use productions that sound soulless. This certainly isn't the case here. The spirit of yore is still present in every second of this output. The production suits the post-black metal style perfectly with its somber atmosphere while the different instruments are easier to distinguish and sound crystal clear. The most improved element might be the vocals that sound more organic which actually suits the genre very well.

This record might only include five songs but this is certainly the perfect decision for this kind of output. Right from the start, "Lungs Filled with Water'' develops an atmosphere of despair, isolation and longing that inspires listeners' brains, hearts and souls alike. This intellectual guideline is present until the last seconds of powerful album closer "Dancing on Debris" that ends the record quite suddenly but thus leaves listeners with food for thought and discussion.

The album's greatest highlights can however be found in between these songs. "02:19 AM, Psychosis" impresses with its sinister atmosphere and emotional lyrics while the musicianship meandering fluidly between darkness and light deserves to be highlighted. Even the vocals are more versatile than usual and even feature a few heartfelt clean passages that work so particularly well because they are employed surprisingly and in small doses.

Another noteworthy song is the record's central tune "From Yesterday to Ashes" that impresses with calm, melancholic and soothing piano melodies that add much texture to the group's versatile songwriting. The combination of black metal and classical music works so particularly well because these contrasts complete each other stunningly and offer instrumental ebbs and flows that make for a most entertaining rollercoaster ride.

At the end of the day, Harakiri for the Sky's debut already showcases the bravery, creativity and intellect of this post-black metal duo from Austria. While subsequent records such as the aforementioned Aokigahara are even better, this album sets the tone for a wonderful career. Band and genre fans alike should thus purchase this strong first strike that deserves more attention, recognition and respect. The band has made the right decision to re-record its debut album and promote it in recent years.

Final Rating: 85%

Most bands who have taken the decision to record beloved early records again have failed miserably. The worst cases in the metal scene might be the infamous re-recordings by heavy metal veterans Manowar. Harakiri for the Sky is one of the few bands that has managed to record albums of yore again and improve already impressive results significantly. In the case of the wonderful Aokigahara MMXXII, the band has even released an astonishing boxed set with a thick crafted paper box housed in foam, a beautiful exclusive patch and an amazing shot glass.

What matters most is however the music offered on this record and what we get to hear is epic post-black metal at its very best. Let's select creative, dynamic and haunting opener ''My Bones to the Sea'' that evokes such desperate passion that it sends shivers down the listeners' spines. The disharmonious, fast and rebellious guitar riffs, the intense, liberating and passionate drum patterns and the emotional, memorable and unfiltered vocals performing sincere lyrics make for one of the very best openers ever created in the entire post-black metal scene.

The record continues on a high note with brutal, longing and melancholic ''Jhator'' that balances sincere emotions and pitiless intensity in perfectly equal parts. This song manages to touch the souls, hearts and brains of the listeners alike. The lyrics are yet again particularly inspiring and even feature some poetic parts performed in German which only rate this excellent track up.

Lyrically, the excellent "Sixty-Nine Dead Birds for Utøya" goes even a few steps further and induces goosebumps from start to finish. This emotional masterpiece obviously refers to the terroristic attacks by a madman whose name isn't even worth to be mentioned that took the lives of sixty-nine innocent people, several of them being teenagers. This song is a memorial to these unfortunate victims and a meaningful reminder to fight and prevent extremism of any kind through love and education.

A final highlight that deserves to be mentioned is gritty closer ''Gallows (Give 'Em Rope)" that ends an intense record on a memorably grisly note. The song title alone should give you an idea what this liberating tune is all about. Its haunting conclusion leaves listeners on a most vulnerable note and offers much food for discussion and thought.

This special edition also includes a cover of Tears for Fears' "Mad World", a track that is boring, depressing and lackluster in its original version and sounds even worse in the elegiac, negative and whiny cover version by Gary Jules that was omnipresent on radio stations twenty years ago and already started your days on a negative note. Harakiri for the Sky have managed to transform a song I have never much appreciated into an emotional, intense and varied rollercoaster ride that sticks with you long after the album has ended. This bonus track blends in perfectly and is one of the greatest cover songs ever recorded in any genre.

At the end of the day, Harakiri for the Sky's Aokigahara MMXXII is one of the greatest re-recordings ever released in any genre. Listeners get ten songs with a total running time of sixty-eight minutes that celebrate contemporary black metal with intellectual depth, sincere emotions and diversified musicianship. There are no fillers to be found and this album only grows with every single spin. Make sure to get the record's limited edition box set that is truly worth its slightly elevated price.

Final Rating: 95%