| With War Upon Man, Helleruin delivers a blistering assault of raw yet melodic black metal, capturing the essence of the genre's primal aggression while weaving in moments of grandeur. The solo project of Dutch musician Niels Kuiper, Helleruin may trace its lineage to the second wave of black metal, but it refuses to be confined by mere imitation. Instead, War Upon Man surges forward with a ferocity that feels both reverent and revitalizing.
Opening track None of Us sets the tone with a propulsive, punk-infused riff reminiscent of Mgla and Horna, before shifting into an eerie melodic passage that recalls the cold majesty of Dissection. The album thrives on this balance—between relentless, hammering rhythms and expansive, melancholic tremolo leads. Tracks like No Elegance / Entrenchment push this dynamic further, alternating between sledgehammer heaviness and moments of unsettling beauty. Meanwhile, Passage injects a more militant 6/8 march into the mix, showcasing Helleruin’s ability to craft atmosphere through sheer force.
The production embraces a raw edge, with searing mid-high frequencies and a cavernous reverb that grants the vocals an almost spectral presence. The guitars maintain a jagged, frostbitten tone, flirting with the harsh aesthetics of the "raw black" underground while remaining clear enough to let the intricate riffing shine through. The album’s closer leans into the hypnotic, droning elements reminiscent of Uada, even incorporating subtle acoustic textures that add an unexpected depth.
While War Upon Man may not seek to reinvent the wheel, it stands as a strong debut that confidently carves out its own space within the black metal pantheon. With its balance of aggression and melody, it's an album that rewards both the purist and the seeker of new sonic depths.
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