Atmosphere is a hallmark of great black metal, but for California’s Oskoreien it’s only half the story. Composer and multi-instrumentalist Jay Valena’s long-running black metal project serves as an auditory exploration of complex theoretical themes. 2010’s self-titled debut—an earlier EP version AMG Himself lauded—channeled the atmospheric and acoustic black textures of Ulver and Agalloch into a deep contemplation of a nihilistic existence. Six years later, concept album All Too Human found Valena honing his craft, elevating Oskoreien’s sound into a masterful post-black narrative. It unraveled the fallacy of free will through the chilling story of Charles Whitman. This bold, forward-thinking approach garnered significant acclaim and firmly positioned Oskoreien on the map. Valena now returns with Oskoreien’s third album, Hollow Fangs, another heavy dose of atmospheric, cerebral black metal after nine long years of silence. And this time, it’s plunging its teeth into the destructive currents of human consciousness and the accompanying anguish of finding meaning within a chaotic, deceptive world.
Hollow Fangs finds Oskoreien refining its sound into a powerful black metal fusion. Strengthened by the addition of guitarist Rashid Nadjib (Wovoka) and bassist Matthew Durkee, the trio skillfully marries the visceral force of groups like Spectral Wound with expansive post-black melodies, creating engaging black metal that feels both familiar and distinctly their own. Torrents of wild, tremolo-picked guitars interlock with vigorous blast beats, powering Hollow Fangs’ incisive bite. While recognizable black foundations provide a consistent anchor, Oskoreien employs unexpected deviations to forge rich, dynamic textures that guide the listener through distinct emotional arcs. Attention-grabbing riffs, including head-bobbing melodeath grooves (“Bernalillo Sunrise”), intricate thrash patterns (“Fragments”), and somber, doom-laden chords (“Psychoticism”), give way to waves of cascading, shoegaze-infused guitar leads (“Fragments,” “Bernalillo Sunrise”) that fuel emotional crescendos. Hollow Fang’s compositions smartly transcend their otherwise modest formulas, employing appealing harmonies and intelligent chord progressions to inject the album’s thirty-nine minutes with dynamism and profound emotional weight.
A defining characteristic of Oskoreien’s songwriting is the sophisticated interplay between tension and release, built by the guitars’ dissonant elements to underscore Hollow Fangs’ pervasive sense of turmoil and apprehension. Intense passages culminate in cathartic payoffs which expertly contrast intensity with emotional release and hope. Oskoreien’s poignant guitar melodies convey this. The chaotic and violent tremolo-fueled blast beats in “To Kiss the Viper’s Fang” give way to a somber, arpeggiated bridge with an almost acoustic feel, offering relief before re-engaging with another bout of powerful riffing. “Fragments” and “Prismatic Reason” immediately establish their dark and menacing atmospheres with arpeggiated, anxiety-ridden high guitar runs and washing distortion before transitioning to beautiful guitar leads that inject much-needed liberation and light. Even Durkee’s bass steps forward at times, adding another layer of depth as it ascends into higher registers—a playful counterpoint to Hollow Fang’s dissonant textures (“Fragments,” “Bernalillo Sunrise”).
Hollow Fangs’ production significantly bolsters the strength of Oskoreien’s compositions. Valena’s spectral rasps sound great, prominently featured in the guitar-dominant mix, which amplifies the album’s darker, unsettling moods. Although the programmed drums are largely generic and unexciting, their distinction in the mix is a notable step up. Durkee’s robust bass presence also materially contributes to the album’s expressive effect. Even so, Hollow Fangs still has room for growth. The album’s bookends, “Prismatic Reason” and “To Kiss the Viper’s Fang” feel a bit overlong, with “Prismatic Reason” also lacking the potency of the album’s other tracks. Furthermore, the payoff in the latter half of “Bernalillo Sunrise” lands somewhat flat despite its excellent, tension-building tom transition full of foreboding.
Still, Hollow Fangs stands as unquestionable proof that Oskoreien is alive and well. While some tracks overstay their welcome and the album doesn’t quite take the same evolutionary leap forward as its predecessor, Hollow Fangs nevertheless delivers a hefty dose of quality black metal. The emphasis on dynamic songwriting—achieved through varied tempos, textures, and instrumental interplay—creates moments of crushing ferocity and vast melodic emotional depth, with soaring, triumphant melodies that counterbalance each other perfectly. Almost a decade between releases can rightfully derail bands, but Oskoreien has defied this trend, producing an aggressive yet appealing black metal album that offers fans plenty to sink their teeth into.
Rating: Very Good!
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Self-Released
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: July 18, 2025
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