2024 Retro – ERSHETU

"Only the autumn twilight
still walks this path"
(Matsuo Bashō)

For the eleventh instalment of our retrospective series, we journey to the Far East – specifically, Japan – whose rich religious history was a profound source of inspiration for the second ERSHETU album. "Yomi" – created by the visionary trio of Sacr, Void (DMP) and Vindsval (BLUT AUS NORD, FORHIST) – is rooted in the concept of 'kami', the divine beings in the Shinto belief system, and unfolds across six opulent tracks of cinematic Black Metal.

Discover more from the retrospective series on our website, showcasing stellar 2024 works from INSECT ARK, MODERN RITES, PESTILENT HEX, and others.

"At the hands of mastermind Void, ERSHETU are becoming one of the most exciting forces in modern Black Metal!" (Echoes & Dust)

Following the acclaimed "Xibalba" – an exploration of death in Mayan culture – ERSHETU's "Yomi" sees the band ascending in both confidence and stature, delving into even darker and more enigmatic realms as they immerse themselves in the death folklore of Japanese Shinto. Seamlessly intertwining authentic traditional Japanese instruments, such as the koto and shamisen, with the cerebral intensity of Black Metal, ERSHETU craft soundscapes that distinguish themselves from conventional symphonic Extreme Metal.

Lyricist and conceptual architect Void shared insights into the vision behind ERSHETU with Musick magazine:

"I was very clear about what I imagined this project should sound like. Being myself very fond of bands like LIMBONIC ART, early COVENANT, SUMMONING and the likes, I wanted something very orchestral and epic. But obviously I didn't want to copy these cult bands and albums. I wanted us to take our own approach. Both Sacr and I are also big fans of movie scores, video games and classical music. When I told him about the idea it was clear I wanted very cinematic music. The idea was to transport the listener with us on a journey. I wanted the music to be rich and unique. The music of a non-existing movie somehow. We draw inspiration from everything that surrounds us: what we read, what we listen to, the movies we watch but also nature and all its beauties."

To immerse yourself fully in this vision, watch the official video for 'Ketsurui' below:

"I rolled the earth, I danced in the rain.
Now I do not sow the ground with my tears.
They trickle down against my will.
And my nails, sharp claws, plough my heart." ('Ketsurui')

From the inception of ERSHETU, composer Sacr and conceptualist Void have collaborated with pioneering Black Metal visionary Vindsval (BLUT AUS NORD, FORHIST). On both "Xibalba" and "Yomi", he contributed bass and additional guitars, but on the latest album, Vindsval also assumed vocal duties, taking over from Lars Åre Nedland (BORKNAGAR, SOLEFALD).

In the aforementioned interview, Vindsval shared his thoughts on the theme of death:

"I compare death to the infinity of the universe, something that the limits of the human mind prevent us from fully grasping in concrete terms. How can one imagine the end of everything, one's own extinction, the end of thought, absolute nothingness? From a personal perspective, I don't think we have yet understood the meaning of the life/death cycle. I am firmly convinced that the answers will come later, and that the reality of it all has nothing to do with how we currently perceive this cycle. I believe we are not approaching it from the right perspective."

Listen to "Yomi" below, via our YouTube channel, and on all streaming platforms:

"So many questions,
So few answers.
It all ends tonight.
For already the wolves are howling
And the blood is flowing." ('Nenokatasukuni')

As 2024 ended, each member of the trio reflected on their favourite albums of the past year and offered a glimpse into the future of ERSHETU:

"We're currently still brainstorming the next journey but in the meantime, we're also working on something different, it's a bit early to unveil anything but we're definitely busy and eager to write new music!"

Musical highlights of 2024:

Vindsval:

01. ULCERATE "Cutting the Throat of God"
02. SELBST "Despondency Chord Progressions"
03. BLOOD INCANTATION "Absolute Elsewhere"
04. ARGILE "Spleen Angel"
05. NOCTURNUS A.D. "Unicursal"

Sacr:

01. AARA "Eiger"
02. JÉRÔME REBOTIER "Le Comte de Monte Christo" (OST)
03. DANNY ELFMAN "Beetlejuice 2" (OST)
04. BRUCE DICKINSON "The Mandrake Project"

Void:

01. HANS ZIMMER "Dune 2"

Probably my favourite movie of the year, with my favourite OST. Zimmer once again gives the whole movie another dimension. Flawless. Absolutely stellar.

02. DOEDSMAGHIRD "Omniverse Consciousness"

Not counting DMP releases, this is my favourite Black Metal album of the year. One of the very few I did listen to countless times. Pure madness.

03. THE CURE "Songs of a Lost World"

Are words needed here? A masterpiece.

04. COLIN STETSON "The Love It Took To Leave You"

The discovery of the year and what an album. The title track is so intense it shatters everything in its path.