Numen – Erre

Numen is a black metal band from the Basque Country whose music is deeply inspired by the region’s ancient beliefs. Led by vocalist Aritz Navarro, keyboardist/backing vocalist Eöl, guitarist Jabo Numen (also of Cerebral Effusion), and bassist/multi-instrumentalist Lander (bass, flute, alboka), the Basque group recruited drummer Sistre (Bestial Nihilism, Gotholocaust, Les Chants de Nihil) to bring their latest opus, Erre, to life. Released on June 12, 2026, through Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Productions, Erre (which translates to “Burn” in Basque) is a highly acclaimed fifth album that proves Numen has fiercely returned to form.

Erre features five lengthy, uncompromising, and epic tracks that transport the listener back to primitive, glacial ages and a dark, pathless land. The most notable shift on this release is the band’s musical pivot toward pure, unadulterated aggression. While their earlier albums focused heavily on folk elements, Erre delivers an intense sonic blasting attack packed with relentless tremolo picking, double-bass drumming, and high-pitched screams.

Accordingly, the production of this five-track album is raw, primitive, and uncompromising, perfectly mirroring their performance style. Written and performed entirely in the Basque language—one of Europe’s oldest living tongues—these five anthems focus on the 17th-century witch trials and the Inquisition in the Basque Country.

Another impressive feat is the quintet’s ability to create striking dualities and diverse atmospheres across the tracklist. The songs shift seamlessly from furious, old-school black metal passages to dreamlike, acoustic, and progressive moments, all wrapped in epic pacing. This is perfectly exemplified on the standout track “Errautsen azken arnasa”. Apart from its hypnotic acoustic intro, the song features heavy distortion while masterfully conjuring a rich pagan atmosphere. Another highlight is “Hustasuna – Oroitzapen galduen putzu”, which shines due to its old-school touches, a highly dynamic rhythm section, and a long, gloomy finale. Visually matching the music, the cover illustration echoes the dark, visceral themes of persecution, folklore, and historical trauma explored throughout the album’s concept.

While Erre may not be a groundbreaking or highly innovative release, Numen still manages to sound distinct from the modern norm. It is well worth checking out, especially for worshippers of Primordial, Moonsorrow, Aiumeen Basoa, Winterfylleth, Sargeist, Dark Funeral, and similar representatives of the second-wave pagan black metal scene. Ultimately, Erre proves that the ancient fires of the second wave still burn bright. Instead of merely mimicking the past, the band breathes fierce new life into the old ways.

Full release details are available now on the label’s Bandcamp page.