Hyrgal - Session fun​é​raire anno MMXXIII EP (2023)

Hyrgal occupy a pretty solid spot in the second tier of French black metal nowadays, and all three of their albums thus far have been a good listen, in particular 2020's Fin de règne. This new EP allows the band to perhaps dabble a little outside the usual range without the pressure of a proper full-length, and they actually manage to deliver some of their most devastating individual tracks through its 25 minutes, especially the opening 1-2 punch of "Deuil éclair", a breathtaking traditional black metal number with a brief and effective acoustic setup, and then the "Phalanges Assassines" with is a blasting, brutal ear-floss which a mildly more modern sheen that reminded a little of the German band Endstille, until it breaks out with these rousing melodies in the bridge.

And it's all quality from there out too, like the dark, dour crawl of "Gorge Blanche/Surin Noir" which segues into these little acoustics with a bass thrumming around softly and then eruptions of a more jangled, jarring electric tone and leads. This track definitely has more of a familiar feel to French black metal royalty like a Blut Aus Nord or Deathspell Omega. There's also an unsettling pure feedback/noise piece and then a tight cover of Marduk's "Dark Endless", a curious choice since you'd think with the pedigree of Hyrgal they'd shoot for one off one of the subsequent records. However, it's well done, well produced, and ultimately the Session fun​é​raire is a solid release with enough internal variation on its shorter play length to keep you engaged. Potentially the mark of great things to come whenever they get around to their fourth album.

Verdict: Win [8/10]

https://hyrgal.bandcamp.com/