The Stone - Umro

The Stone offers a Serbian take on black metal with its fifth release Umro. After a few lineup changes and a slew of EP’s and full-lengths to bolster the lineage, a much crisper production makes Urmo a pretty good musical venture.  I must admit to hearing Slevenska Krv some time ago and not being impressed very much, but this 2009 effort is a considerable leap forward, albeit somewhat mainline in formula.

What is the positive to note about The Stone is that the band has certainly upgraded its sound and proficiency over its career, which began in 1996. A track like “Krav Ceo, Nigde Nijedne Rane” is quite the typical ‘blueprint’ black metal song, but the variance in time changes and a pretty decent solo really challenge me to keep my head in the game with what might otherwise get boring really quickly to my ears. In this regard I manage to keep my thoughts attuned to the music unfolding in back of me and hear some pretty solid black metal that actually does get stronger as the disc moves along. The hooks all through the disc really set it slightly above the plethora of arguably mundane and sophomoric black bands that insist on pillaging the genre for every drop of blood it has to bleed out. Where most albums leave my psyche pretty much the second after I eject the CD from the stereo a sparse few retain some value for me, and Umro does that.

While not unique by any stretch, these Serbian dark lords definitely take the movement to its desired height, providing a think atmosphere of volatility and darkness through the album. “Jesti Srca Ljudi” is one of the more malevolent sounding tracks, if a bit of standard fare for most fans’ tastes. What I do enjoy about a band like The Stone is that there is no need for this enormous wall of keyboard-laced aura to supplement the music; the basic desire for fluidity through guitar work and catchy solos make up for the lack of total originality. And while Nefas’ vocals are nothing if not usual, the fact that the band managed to capture what real black metal is all about makes this little hidden band something to check out when you’re so inclined. There are true elements of old-school Venom spliced with the Swedish death sound from the 90’s and the brilliance of the Norwegian black metal movement.

I must admit I didn’t expect much, but I’m happily surprised by Umro and definitely think it’s a ‘sleeper hit’ of sorts, if one can even coin that term for the underground of metal. I am always happy to be wrong in situations like this, so my delirium is your gain. Check ‘em out!     

Release Date: April 22, 2009
Label: Folter Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Umro
2.  Zlo Je Uek Korak Ispred
3.  Krav Ceo, Nigde Nijedne Rane
4.  Prst Na Obaracu
5.  Jesti Srca Ljudi
6.  Sam Krenuo Smrt Svoju Da Nade
7.  …U Smrti – The Stone
8.  Kralj Je Umro

Total playing time:  52:46

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*Comments:

Reviewer: Chris

March 23, 2011