Barathrum - Eerie | Album Review

Black-Doom as a niche: Where Barathrum fits in

Barathrum hails from Finland, a country with a strong black metal tradition. The band focuses on:

• low-tuned basses (sometimes two bassists playing simultaneously)
• Mid-tempo to slow rhythms
• scratchy, demonic vocals
• raw, but deliberately chosen production
• occult, satanic and dark lyrical themes

Barathrum thus operates in the space between black metal and doom metal – in other words, black-doom. The guitars often recede into the background in favor of an extremely dominant bass foundation. This gives the music a ponderous, swampy texture reminiscent of doom, while the structure, mood, and vocals are clearly rooted in the black metal tradition.

For you, if you're into dark, bass-heavy sound with a ritualistic aura, Barathrum feels like the soundtrack to an occult mass in a dilapidated cellar.

Later works: a mixture of Black, Doom and Punk influences.

In later albums, Barathrum blends influences from thrash, classic heavy metal, and even punk-tinged elements into the core of black doom. The music remains heavy and dark, but occasionally gains in raw energy and a more "rocking" directness.

This interplay consists of:

• plodding doom passages
• groovy mid-tempo parts
• raw black metal storm

Barathrum makes it interesting if you're looking for music that is powerful but not monotonous .

“Eerie” and other releases: How Barathrum has evolved over the years

Barathrum has existed since the early 90s and has released several albums over the years that differ in detail but share a core: bass-heavy, occult black doom with an underground attitude.

"Eerie" – bass-driven darkness

Many fans consider "Eerie" one of the band's defining releases. The album relies heavily on:

• Mid-tempo and slow passages
• distorted, thick bass riffs
• minimalist but effective guitar figures
• atmospheric effects such as wind sounds, bells or synth accents

The focus is not on technical virtuosity, but on a destructive, ritualistic atmosphere . Riffs sometimes seem simple, but precisely for that reason they stick in your head and unfold their effect over time like a mantra.

Barathrum's second studio album is a dark revelation, a work that is both catchy and unsettling, creating an atmosphere that feels like a waking, inescapable glimpse into one's own doom. The band relies on deeply downtuned guitars, an equally loud, distorted, dirty-rumbling bass, and raw vocals. The drums ensure that the music doesn't descend into chaos, but rather remains a controlled, sinister incantation.

"Eerie" moves predominantly at a medium to slow tempo. While many black metal bands rely on tremolo riffs, dense chord pads, and melodies, Barathrum consciously distances itself from these. Instead, extremely low, single strums with ample space and weight dominate. Since two bassists and one guitarist are listed, at times it seems as if two bass lines are playing simultaneously, while the guitar is barely perceptible. The song structures create a brooding, reverberating atmosphere that holds the listener captive until the last note fades away. Repetitive elements lend the pieces an almost ritualistic form. Subtle shifts, layered instrumental tracks, or suddenly appearing, almost mind-expanding background vocals further intensify the effect. Despite the simple basic structure, the band manages to organically transition between languid hypnosis and heavy grooves.

Raw, massively distorted production

Nearly every driving instrument is overloaded with effects, creating a gritty, dense soundscape. The vocals hiss and growl through this sonic landscape, occasionally punctuated by clean vocal passages that sound less pure and more desperate and menacing. The snare drum is prominent and reverberated, giving it punch. The toms also deliver a powerful impact. Additional effects like wind and bells seem to emanate from elsewhere, amplifying the ominous atmosphere. In the title track, "Eerie," a siren-like synthesizer reminiscent of the 70s appears, soaring high and unpredictably over the catchy guitar lines, acting as a harbinger of impending doom.

Compared to its predecessor, "Hailstorm," the band demonstrates further development. The focus is more on distinctive riffs, a more nuanced production, and a clearer musical direction. Despite numerous catchy moments, the dark atmosphere is consistently maintained. Throughout the entire album, Barathrum convincingly manages to combine catchiness with uncompromising darkness. "Eerie" is a unique, authentically dark black metal album that doesn't fully reveal itself on the first listen, but rather demands repeated listening.

• https://www.britannica.com/art/heavy-metal-music – Overview article on the history, development and subgenres of heavy metal; fits well into the section “What is Metal?” after the basic definition.
• https://www.ard.de/ardkultur/musik/heavy-metal – A cultural journalism piece on heavy metal that offers social context; makes sense after the section on metal as a subculture and scene.
• https://music2me.com/de/magazin/metal – A didactically structured article about metal history and style; suitable as a further link after the overview of subgenres.
• https://www.metal-hammer.de/ – Specialist magazine for metal with news and reviews; ideal after the section on metal subgenres/current scene for readers who want to delve deeper into bands and releases.
• https://time-for-metal.eu/ – Online magazine and community about metal concerts and reviews; useful after the section on concert experiences and festival outfits.