EP Review – HKSPK – The Human Butcher (EP, 2025)
With their
new EP The Human Butcher, Brandenburg’s young Black/Death metal force HKSPK
prove that they are not only heirs to the raw underground tradition but also
capable of reshaping it with their own twisted edge. Spanning five tracks of
unfiltered extremity, the EP balances death metal brutality with icy blackened
atmospheres, moving seamlessly between styles while retaining a cohesive and
authentic identity.
Opening
with “Blood Phallus”, the band immediately sets a sinister tone with a
spoken German intro before a drum fill ignites the track. What follows is a
slow-moving yet crushing piece that recalls early ’90s German death metal in
the vein of Morgoth or Atrocity, fused with modern slam riffing and tortured
blackened screams. Despite its tempo, the main riff remains irresistibly
punchy.
“Schwanzløses
Gesindel” shifts
gears into a faster, more melodic assault. While firmly rooted in old school
death metal, it also weaves in blackened riffing and a chilling atmosphere,
delivering one of the EP’s strongest blends of both worlds. The third track, “Zur
letzten Rauhnacht”, dives deep into pure black metal territory, with icy
tremolo riffs, blast beats, and a melodic undertone that channels the spirit of
Transilvanian Hunger–era Darkthrone.
The title track, “Human Butcher”, is the EP’s most straightforward death metal anthem: brutal, low-pitched, and crushing, carried by a simple yet unforgettable riff. “Nocturnal Beheading” closes the release with melodic black metal in its most traditional form, evoking a nocturnal and ritualistic feel.
What makes The
Human Butcher truly impressive is HKSPK’s ability to sound like two
different bands depending on the song—at times a pure old school death metal
act, at others an uncompromising black metal entity. Few young groups can
master both sides with such conviction. With this EP, HKSPK affirm themselves
as one of the most promising extreme metal acts to watch.
Rating : 4,5/5
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