Brahdr’uhz

FUCK YOU – A Review of ‘TOTAL FOADYFB’ by BRAHDR’UHZ

August 29, 2020 — Leave a comment

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Fuck Off And Die You Fucking Bastards

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I’ve probably said this before (I’m old and I forget shit) but if there’s a label you should be following, it’s ELDERBLOOD PRODUCTIONS. A relatively fresh label that’s constantly digging up the purest of black gold from the deepest underground, their catalogue of releases only gets better as time goes on and epitomizes the very spirit of the genre. They’ve got a new batch of tapes dropping shortly, and one of which is an artist that we here at BMD have been hailing since their inception – the Swiss one-man hate explosion of BRAHDR’UHZ.

Utterly old-school, completely uncompromising and filled with nothing but loathing for humanity, Brahdr’uhz plays the kind of black metal that if it were recorded at Grieghallen in the ’90s people would still be sporting the shirts of it today. Since we spoke to main man Brahz back in the heady days of 2018 he has been seething away with a steady stream of cult releases; including a trilogy of EPs released from March through June entitled the FOADYFB series. This series culminated in a self-released CDR (limited to 20 copies, of course) comprised of all searing excretions from those three EPs plus a trio of fresh, compilation-only bonus tracks. It is to this compilation, TOTAL FOADYFB, that Elderblood Productions is bestowing a much-deserved wider tape release.

On each of these tracks the demonic battle commander provides nothing but total demolition, although it isn’t just a solid monochrome onslaught – the man is very fucking far from being a one-trick pony. There’s the skull-shattering black thrash of ‘TMITL’, the suffocating dissonant oppression of ‘YAAIYB’. Eerie ambient riffs unsettle in ‘IFSP’ and ‘MDMLCO’ while the soul-raping slow death into annihilation crescendo of ‘JEDTBDP’ is immense… there are many, many weapons that Brahz can select to end your life with, and he is equally as proficient with all of them.

The guitar tone is always biting (according to Brahz the secret is a “shitty handshape guitar from the ’90s, bad old strings, ugly distortion and no skills”) and the drums, although likely programmed because his session drummer Penetranalattak Deflagramicide doesn’t seem to be involved, don’t sound irritating at all and are a testament to his craftsmanship; sounding great when either raining relentless hammer blows from hell with ultimate cruelty or slowing to an obliterating mid-paced groove on tracks like ‘CIDYC’. He experiments with differing production tweaks here and there (most noticeably on the bonus tracks) and each segment of the compilation stands apart from each other songwriting-wise, but what really holds everything together is the lethal energy of it all – throughout every track on this compilation, as for his entire discography to date, you can almost physically feel the hostility howling from your speakers. This makes for a seamless listening experience, despite the naturally disjointed nature of throwing four separate parts together into one.

Overall – there are very few flaws to pick at, and even if you did, Brahz would not give a single fuck. This is not pretty black metal. It’s not polished. It’s not nice in any way, shape or form. This is pure misanthropic Swiss darkess anchored by primal rage. I don’t need to say much more – all you need to know is Brahdr’uhz fucking hates you, and this tape is mandatory. Pre-orders begin September 4th. Do not miss it. Hails.

RATING: 4.1 / 5

TOTAL FOADYFB is available now. Cassette pre-orders begin September 4th (PDT time) via Elderblood Productions.

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Purchase TOTAL FOADYFB digitally from the Brahdr’uhz Bandcamp HERE, or pre-order cassette from the Elderblood Productions Bandcamp HERE (only for 24 hours on Bandcamp no-fee Friday) and Bigcartel HERE (no restrictions) on September 4th PDT time.

Support BRAHDR’UHZ:

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Email: blackmetaldaily@outlook.com

Break Us, Destroy Us – An Interview with Brahdr’Uhz

June 30, 2018 — 1 Comment

The mysterious Swiss entity of Brahdr’Uhz plays black metal the way it should be played. Their songs sound like all your favourite raw bands of years gone by, rolled into one but with three times the hate. And you may not have even heard of them yet.

This however, is how they’ve liked it. Releasing their first self-titled demo in late 2017 and the two after that in a grand limited total of ten copies each, this music was only meant to be heard by a select few… Until recently. When I saw that Grimm Distribution was releasing a CD compilation of tracks from their first three demos I almost fell off my chair; I don’t believe I’ve ever hit the “shut the fuck up and take my money” button so fast in my life. I simply had to attempt to reach out to main man Brahz for more information. To which he graciously, and to my slight surprise, obliged; so read on below for the briefest glimpse into the fresh hell and true subterranean fury that is Brahdr’Uhz.

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Hails Brahz! Thanks for taking the time to speak to us. I’ve recently discovered your work and the pure expulsion of hate, nihilism and utter sonic darkness is refreshing. For the unaware: Why was Brahdr’Uhz formed, and what is the message you wish to convey with your art?

– Brahdr’Uhz is a big “FUCK YOU ALL”. A way of expression, a way of suffering and a journey to death. Quite usual, BUT it is the only reason why Brahdr’Uhz exists…

Brahdr’Uhz is an evocative name. Where did it originate, and what is the meaning behind it?

– It’s an old dialect and you can translate it more or less like “break us” or “destroy us”. The opposite of “bless us”. But it’s not in the depressive way like, I’m crying and I’m waiting to be killed! It’s more like “come on and try to destroy us! We are immortal and fuck you”.

I was at first under the impression that Brahdr’Uhz was the product of one man, but a recent press release noted that there were two members: Brahz and Penetranalattak Deflagramicide. Can you clarify who plays which role within the band?

– Brahdr’Uhz is a one man band. Penetranalattak Deflagramicide play drums in couple of songs but as a session drummer. I probably will continue alone again for the next demos.

Your sound draws heavily from the darkness of the past, but in particular bears some similarities to the great Les Légions Noires bands. Do you consciously draw inspiration from these or any other artists when you compose? What other influences do you have while you write?

– Viva Les Légions Noires. I love them as I hate them. I don’t know what to say when it’s about inspiration. For sure some Judas Iscariot and some TNBM bands… But my own life is my main inspiration.

In true underground spirit you have traditionally duplicated your own extremely limited tapes for your releases, but have recently worked with two great and vastly different labels: Medieval Werewolf Antiquarium and now Grimm Distribution. How was it working with Medieval Werewolf Antiquarium (who also release in extremely limited quantities)?

– MWA is totally devoted to the underground. I respect him a lot. But, I wanted to release more than 10 copies so I asked Grimm to release a regular album.

But I still like to release stuff by myself like in the old good past. It’s so easy today to find a label and to release a CD of 500 copies limited. Today we are back to the demos and the limited homemade stuff, for the better.

In my opinion this masterful display of obsidian filth also deserves to be on wax. Are there any plans or hopes for a vinyl release in future?

– I’m a tape and vinyl lover. Yes I hope I’ll see something out on wax one day, but nothing is planned yet. Just have to find a label as crazy as me to release it.

You have also just released another two track demo: the great ‘Alkeldama‘. This is the fourth Brahdr’Uhz demo, and all of them have been excellent. Are there any intentions for a proper full-length release one day?

– I just released a split with Trefihrat couple of weeks ago and the next step will be a full-length probably, yes. It will depend on the inspiration and the time I can put into it.

You tap into a rare and raw primal black flame, far away from the progression (or arguable dilution, depending on your point of view) that the genre has undertaken over the years. What is your opinion of the modern varied strains of what is now known as black metal? Do you listen to many current artists?

I have an old school vision of black metal I guess… Maybe because I’m old? Black metal is here to fuck the commerce, to say fuck religion and to say fuck you all.

I don’t need a well produced album. I don’t need a good mix and mastering, I don’t want to sound like radio music. The sound is primitive and I record everything with one mic only.

I don’t get why Black Metal bands start to be commercial and well produced. Isn’t that the opposite of why we exist?

And finally: Will Brahdr’Uhz ever play live, or are your rituals intended as more of a solitary experience?

– As a one man band and as an asshole I don’t think live will be possible, but who knows.

Once again, sincerest thanks for your time. Any final words?

– FUCK YOU ALL!

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Purchase Brahdr’uhz‘s ‘Land of Darkness’ on CD or digital from his Bandcamp here, or from GrimmDistribution here.

Support Brahdr’uhz:

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