Artist: Efermus
Country: Portugal
Label: Altare Productions
Format: CDR EP
Year: 2026
Although the spotlight usually falls on bands such as Black Cilice and Candelabrum when we talk about Portuguese Raw Black Metal, this enigmatic one-man band is also making quite a name for itself. Efermus, formed in 2021, has already built up a substantial discography, the latest addition being this EP, with a title that, for those who don’t speak Portuguese, is exceptionally difficult to pronounce (and remember). Cliché or not, fortunately the language of music is universal. Although… To decipher Efermus’s sound, you do need ears accustomed to dealing with Lo-Fi Black Metal. But if that’s the case, then with Efermus you’re almost always in for a real gem.
In just under half an hour, Efermus treats you to the sort of Raw/Lo-Fi Black Metal that, in fact, isn’t all that special. Certainly when you compare it to the outstanding Black Cilice or the mind-bending Candelabrum, but it is precisely the fact that Efermus relies on nothing but riffs and an ultra-raw production that makes this a project of exceptional calibre. The simplistic drums and repetitive riffs carry the music and give it its hypnotic power: the true essence of Black Metal lies here in the atmosphere. Efermus proves once again that Black Metal actually needs very little, but those few ingredients must fit together perfectly. Although Black Metal now exists in many forms and guises, this is truly the essence of the genre; in its ugly simplicity lies the beauty and power of Black Metal.
The raw, stripped-down sound that Efermus has already showcased on all their previous releases is taken a step further here and executed almost to perfection. It harks back to the bands of just over a quarter of a century ago who rebelled against the trends and commercialisation of the genre, yet also understood that a Punk-like attitude alone would not be enough to make a powerful statement. That rebellious yet serious atmosphere and passion that many of those late-90s bands infused into their music still form the foundation for many, and, as this latest Efermus release demonstrates, it still holds up. It’s best not to tinker too much with a winning formula, not only because you’ll continue to cater to die-hard fans, but simply because it isn’t necessary. In that light, Efermus is quite simply a commanding act, managing to stay true to the tried-and-tested framework whilst still remaining surprisingly captivating. The only downsider I’d mention is that I don’t really feel the need to spend ten minutes or so listening to the sound of babbling water, which is how this EP ends. But apart from that, this is an EP that more than lives up to the name Efermus.
