For the last two decades, majority of extreme metal albums were released in Poland. In that sense, Into Dark is no exception, as the band hails from Rzeszów, Poland. Into Dark is another black metal band that emerged from the strong Polish scene back almost ten years ago. Current line-up of the band consists of; Pietrov (drums), Nevervill (guitars), Skiborg (vocals) & Bacchus (bass).

Six years after the release of their first and only album so far, Tone​.​Death​.​Memories (2017), they return with three tracker independently released EP entitled I, Glance. The best way to introducing their sound is to quote the band itself ‘darkness wrapped in depression, anger and somber lights of dawn’. To put it differently; their moniker, song-titles, cover artwork, and the overall sound, reflects depression and anger, while being deeply rooted in nostalgia, in the good old days of black metal in the vein of Misþyrming, Mgła, Deathspell Omega, Brzask, Kriegsmaschine, Outre, Devilish Impressions and similar acts.

Tracklist;

01: Brooding Wings
02: A Prose of Death
03: Odezwa

Apart from the obvious depression and anger, on I, Glance the four Poles created three tracks that are representative of the slowness, but also with the touch of explosiveness, fusing the elements of black and death metal, with an indication of the modern take on this genre.

It is interesting to read that Into Dark has had the knob work done by Przemysław Nowak of the ‘Impressive – Art Studio’. It applies to the very tight and stand-out production, where all instruments and the vocals are executed in a very decent way. Speaking of vocals; these are heavy, but without typical black metal screams, but rather with some deep grunts. The only thing is that I feel as the vocals lack a bit of variety. Then there’re some pretty expressive bass-lines, an ultra-tight drum rhythm and some fantastic guitar playing – including this wonderful twin lead/solo in the opening track, “Brooding Wings”.

An Into Dark song generally upholds a high emotional tension throughout its entirety; there aren’t many drastic or cinematic tension-release patterns. All three songs are well developed, carrying their own interpretation of black metal in its somewhat more modern form. My favorite track from I, Glance is a thundering, stamping and pounding track called, “A Prose of Death”. This is the shortest song from the EP, but it features some fantastic guitar playing, dark vocal grunts, and a wonderful salvo of melodic riffs we’re exposed to during the whole song.

There is room for improvement, but this quartet from Rzeszów is constantly evolving. I, Glance is a mandatory purchase for worshippers of the above-mentioned acts! For further info on this three-tracker EP go to https://intodark.bandcamp.com/album/i-glance