I had to smile when I saw this release, and not just because the album title is “Hail Satan” backwards, but I remember these guys from the first time around. Back in the early 2000’s they were signed to Conquer Records, a label based in London who specialized in Polish extreme music, and I reviewed their first three albums. It looks like they stopped working after their fifth album, which was released in 2008, but started again a few years back. The line-up still features Baal Ravenlock (bass, vocals) and Les (guitar, backing vocals) but they have brought in Diabolizer as the new drummer. Although many will not have previously come across Hell-Born, anyone into black metal will know another band formed by Baal, the mighty Behemoth. Back then he was the drummer, using the name Sodomizer, before leaving the same year Hell-Born were formed, while Les was also involved with Behemoth in the 90’s. Baal returned to play live with Behemoth on their 2017 tour, and Adam ‘Nergal’ Darski has guested on this album.

Given their heritage, it is somewhat surprising that Hell-Born are not more widely known, as this is solid Polish black metal that could have been released 20 years ago. The Polish scene was quite different to the Scandinavian scene, open to a wider interpretation of brutal music, and Hell-Born never drift too far away from the core, yet somehow also bring in death metal, thrash and even doom. While not necessarily as evil and cold as some of their northern counterparts, what comes through in spades is the sheer heaviness of everything. There is a retro feel to the production, as if it really is from 20 years ago as opposed to the current day, yet there is a melodic bent which does move it somewhat into the third decade of the 21st century. There will be plenty who will investigate this due to the Behemoth references and associations but stay for the music. Hell-Born have returned.

Rating: 8/10

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/officialHellborn
https://www.label.odiumrecords.com/