Artist: Inritvm
Country: France
Label: End All Life Productions / Norma Evangelium Diaboli
Formats: LP / CD
Year: 2025
‘Ex Nihilo Ad Nihilum’ is the debut album of French act Inritvm, released through End All Life Productions. Having only released a promo so far, the name may not ring a bell, but the band members are certainly no newbies to the scene. Formed by Syht of Haemoth and Akhaeus of Bael, further contributions were made by Yhrm (Deviant), Hth (Haemoth), MkM (Antaeus), Aguares (Bael), and Ablass (6666). For sure the experience is there, but what has that led to?
Well, a pretty impressive first album is the answer. The music on ‘Ex Nihilo Ad Nihilum’ is gnarly Black metal, mostly formed on the foundation of the traditional Black Metal from Norway and France. Layers of guitars range from eerie strumming to blistering tremolo riffs and melodic leads, and part of the nihilistic feel of the music is through these intricately woven facets. The drums are impressive and add the element of propulsion to the music, although Inritvm plays with slower more looming sections as well. In the vocal department, the most striking is the effect over the shrieks, and this element of distortion nicely ties in with the less traditional aspect of the band. This is the incorporation of Ambient and Noise, which are often placed at the start and end of the tracks. Think of twisted spoken samples, distorted classical music or Noise soundscapes, which add an aspect of desolation and alienation to the music.
What is particularly excellent is how rather emotive leads are woven together with the more snarling and bleak riffs and the mechanic drums and vocals. There is fascinating distance between all of these elements, a balance that shifts unsettlingly. Certainly, ‘Ex Nihilo Ad Nihilum’ is a strong debut for Inritvm, with its cold and almost mechanic Black Metal infused with melodic leads and noisy samples. Although perhaps the Ambient aspect could be even more integrated, the balance between these elements is what makes the record excellent, and a recommended listen.
