The Risen Dread – ‘Night Hag’ (Wormholedeath)

By Bona Pjarren

The Risen Dread are an Irish quartet. They have had a busy few years since forming in 2018; the band were invited to support Malevolent Creation and embarked on their own headline European tour during the pandemic. During this time, they also finished this, their debut album.

‘Night Hag’ is produced by the band, recorded by Josh Robinson at the JSR Studio in Belfast in June 2021, and mixed and Mmstered by Kai Stahlenberg at the Kohlekeller Studio in Germany in August 2021. ‘Night Hag’ is a concept album with mental illness as its central theme, with all the tracks focusing on a particular illness or a historical figure connected to madness.

The initial track is entitled ‘Psychosis’ and introduces itself with an interesting almost bell like, atmospheric sample followed up by a solid slab of driving heaviness in a metalcore styling. Marco Feltrin’s gravely vocals adding darkness to the ambience of the song. With ‘Silent Disease’ TRD show more of a groove metal approach to their composition while still retaining a rawness thanks not only to the vocals but also William Rebeiro’s guitar work and driven by Mat Maher’s bass linking in smoothly with Colum Cleary’s driving double kick drumming.

‘Bury Me’ bludgeons me with an assault of tremolo picking/blast beating darkness. It is a take no prisoners sort of track with well thought out riffs and a certain catchiness that really sticks in my head. The next track is ‘Obsession’ and feels more thoughtful than ‘Bury Me’. That doesn’t mean to say that it has lost any of the attitude that The Risen Dread are all about. Again, the more groove aspects of the band come to the fore or even a certain doom element.

With ‘Sound Of The Unknown’ William Ribeiro’s guitar work really comes to the fore, there is also some nice bass work from Mat Maher. It is a testament to the band’s writing skills that they can present a variety of arrangements while still maintaining a sound that is unique to them.

Tight riffs are again in evidence on ‘Fallen’ which rips along before settling into more groove laden elements.

‘Deceiver’ continues with tight riffs delivered with venom and really shows off the bands skills. Marco Feltin’s vocal assault really make this track. ‘White Night’ features a guest appearance from Andreas Kisser of Sepultura, who adds a slightly different feel to this piece guitar wise. There are some nice melodic guitar leads played on this song.

‘Coward’s 9′ makes a pleasant interlude with it’s slower doom-laden approach and Marco’s driving cutting vocals adding a counterpoint to the darker sinister instrumental back drop. Thunderous music heralds ‘Lazzeretto’, it is a powerfully delivered sonic assault on the senses. Intelligently placed lulls give a brief recovery before the wall of sound hits me again.

Renato Zanuto features on closing title track. I believe he was the keyboard player for Revenge. Renato’s inclusion really adds something to ‘The Night Hag’ and I have to say it is probably my favourite track of the album. It has some interesting interplays between the piano, guitar and the rhythm section.

Overall, ‘Night Hag’ as an album is an interesting concept with some very enjoyable tracks. I did feel there were some tracks that blended into each other, but it is still an album worth listening to. If you like your music heavy and extreme, then this is definitely one for you to check out.

‘Night Hag’ is out now. You can get your copy HERE.

www.facebook.com/TheRisenDread