Review: Carach Angren – The Cult of Kariba (EP)

Review by Jeger

Carach Angren – The Cult of Kariba (EP)

Record Label: Season of Mist

Year: 2025

Rating: 8/10

The power of lore… It’s capacity for whipping townsfolk into a hysterical frenzy or its ability to strike up wonder in a captivated child. Rooted in the heritage and in the traditions of the Land. Legends and myths have been told for ages by the warmth of the hearth or the bonfire. A life’s lesson to each one, but what of the dark? What of ghastly tales weaved for no other purpose than to terrify, to make children obey, or to ward off travelers? It’s in this realm of conceptualization where The Netherlands’ Carach Angren feels most comfortable. The Horror Black Metal duo is most known for the drama and the theatrics of their music. But also for its brilliant lyrical subject matter. Carach Angren’s story began with the White Lady of Schinveld, and so it is back to Schinveld where we must go now, for the sacrifice is nigh! As they slept, evil prevailed… On October 17, Carach Angren will release their new EP, “The Cult of Kariba”, via Season of Mist…

Carach Angren

So, we’re revisiting the original story of the White Lady, but with more depth, historical significance and a twist with this Kariba character – a resurrected Witch who takes her revenge on everyone. Exactly how the White Lady and Kariba are tied together is something I’m not so sure about. Musically, expect all the grandiosity, the mystification and the cinema-like visuals that you’ve come to expect out of Carach Angren. Perhaps a little more regimented, more disciplined? There seems to be a smarter balance between the symphonic and the base phases this time around. Each element often alternates with the other, or they blend in a way where the symphonic parts aren’t so overwhelming. And it’s heavy as fuck… A real Black Metal banger a la Dimmu Borgir – “Puritania”. Track two, “Draw Blood”, following a cinematically narrated intro, hits in “Puritania” fashion: huge riffs, towering rhythms and majestic symphony. Regimented song-structure, but with unpredictable shifts in tempo, mood and energy.

I would imagine that the members of Carach Angren spend some time studying. How else could they have acquired their Occult, folklore and storytelling knowledge? I would imagine that their ability to write such entertaining yet historically significant material is not something that comes casually. What I’m trying to say is that a lot of thought, planning and attention to detail goes into the making of an album like “The Cult of Kariba”. It’s theatre, it’s cinema, it’s poetry! It’s literature… All wrapped up in some epic Black Metal.

An engineering feat to be remembered for! Crisp and textured. Everything kicks! Everything pops… Mixed to perfection as well. Visually, “The Cult of Kariba” is like a Tim Burton or a James Cameron wet dream: thrilling, gripping and downright fun. For fans of Horror films and Black Metal alike. If you appreciate what Carach Angren does, then you’ll love this album. If you’re one of those people who are stuck in the whole true Black Metal thing, then you will likely despise it. Either way, “The Cult of Kariba” will be getting some attention.

It was as they slept… They awakened her and all evil ran in the days to come. Poisoner and Sorceress, torchbearer for vengeance’s flame. Well-thought-out theme, some dangerous levels of intensity and feeling satisfied now as I wrap this up. I, for one, appreciate Carach Angren’s take on Black Metal, so, for me, “The Cult of Kariba” was a delight. Not something that I’ll likely remember in a couple of years, but good enough to listen to a few times in the days to come. Yes, it’s like if Cradle of Filth went full Black Metal…