Artist: Mischievous Wraith
Country: Belgium
Label: Medieval Prophecy Records
Formats: CD
Year: 2026
Anyone who has followed the Belgian black metal scene in recent years has been treated to some truly fantastic releases from bands such as Moenen Of Xezbeth, Perverted Ceremony, Forbidden Temple, Gouffre, Effroi, Phlegethon’s Majesty, Crypts Of Wallachia, Regnum Tenebrarum, Walginghe, Hertogenwald, Orkblut and Regnum Tenebrarum. Many of these bands have developed something of a cult following through the much-lauded Medieval Prophecy Records label and, in turn, have drawn inspiration from the Occult Black Metal of southern Europe or, for example, the notorious Polish scene from the 90s. But whilst the aforementioned bands enjoy a certain degree of underground fame, there are also a few bands, such as Selenite Scrolls and Mischievous Wraith, who are slightly less prolific and operate somewhat more in the shadows. Yet perhaps that is precisely why they are certainly no less interesting. Selenite Scrolls released a full-length album earlier this year, and now it is Mischievous Wraith’s turn; both bands hail from the illustrious Ancient Hounds circle, which is virtually synonymous with dark, high-quality music.
Apart from the quality of the material on offer, something you more or less take for granted when dealing with Belgian Black Metal in conjunction with Medieval Prophecy Records, Mischievous Wraith have not drawn inspiration from the passionate Southern European Black Metal, the Polish scene, or even Scandinavian Black Metal. This quartet appears to have focused almost entirely on French Black Metal. The excellent ‘Hemlock And Belladonna’ demo from 2023, the band’s only previous release, had already hinted at their preference for French Black Metal, but this has been taken even further on this debut full-length.
Fans of the demo tape were already drawing comparisons with Deathspell Omega from before their musical shift, and Nehëmah in particular. Those comparisons still hold true; I also hear clear references to the early work of Horna, Epheles, Aosoth and even Celestia. The propulsive pace, the oppressive and unsettling atmosphere, combined with Nemurtvi’s blood-curdling vocals, give the whole thing the feel of a kind of Black Metal we don’t come across very often these days. That alone makes listening to ‘Thcansigruplaw’ (try reading it backwards) more than worth it. So let’s be clear: if you’re looking for innovative Black Metal, Mischievous Wraith isn’t the band to turn to. Instead, it is more of a monument, or even a tribute, to French Black Metal that is less heavily influenced by Les Légions Noires.
Yet what Mischievous Wraith brings to the table is not merely a case of borrowing from others. In particular, the dynamic range from slow passages to more intense sections, the use of eerie-sounding keyboards and the enthralling vocals make the band a relatively fresh-sounding entity within the current Black Metal scene. And looking a little more closely at their own musical circles, regardless whether productive and in the shadows or not, ‘Thcansigruplaw’ once again proves Mischievous Wraith’s rather unique place in the Belgian Black Metal scene.
