Vehemency Five songs, almost 60 minutes, atmospheric lofi black metal with Burzum influences. That is the short way to describe Sangue do Novo Amanhecer, the debut album by Portuguese Cripta Oculta. And although the influences are clear, Cripta Oculta’s sound is enough unique to keep my attention, and also enjoy the music.

The band also seems to favor their native background and hence there’s also some folk influences involving flutes and acoustic guitars. These elements can be found every now and then throughout the album, but the last track ”Vitória e Celebração” is almost entirely dedicated to this traditional music. Otherwise, Sangue do Novo Amanhecer includes long atmospheric black metal tracks, although it’s not overly melancholic. In fact, the slightly out-of-tune instruments and sloppy playing give the album a really weird feeling. Which is positive in this case, as it makes Cripta Oculta differ from all the other bands in this similar vein. I’m usually against drum machines, but I guess I’ve heard too much Countess lately because I don’t mind them on this album.

Sangue do Novo Amanhecer is a weird album because somehow I feel that it’s professionally done although it sounds like crap (in a way that I still enjoy it). I’m all for lofi production, but on this album the guitars sound like they were low bitrate MP3s, although I’m holding the physical CD in my hands. Still I find myself coming back to this album and its uncommon atmosphere quite often. I believe that real drums and better production would make me give this album one star more, because the compositions are great but the final execution is lacking.