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CMŸTER
Ave Lucifer EP

Tapes Of Terror (2025)
Rating: 5/10

Heavily resembling an old Bulldozer album in looks, this is the debut three-song EP from Slovakian metal band Cmÿter, released on underground Czech label Tapes Of Terror. With its cover imagery and title I thought Ave Lucifer might boast a more extreme sound, but in fact it’s not too far removed from Manilla Road although far less commanding.

Much of this EP is off kilter, yet has a lo-fi doomy presence, but probably without intention. Vocalist Gregor Hraško sings in his native tongue so my ignorance means it’s nigh on impossible to know the subjects of the songs, but ‘Gróf Reisenstein’ features various intriguing shifts, rattling nicely with the bass of Pavol Šurka and with a steady gallop.

All three tracks sound like a strange mix of some mid-80s Scandinavian band and an obscure slice of New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. The title track is borderline speed metal; the riff is skittish and the drums scurry, although there’s a lack of heaviness. The vocals are comedic at times and yet enchanting as they boom and croon like a crazed leader who no-one is following or listening to.

Oddly, the EP sounds like an inferior Spanish traditional metal release, especially with the last of the three songs, ‘Čierny Dom’, which boasts more of a hard rock vibe. However, this is still a steady enough plodder that adds further mystique to what is essentially bargain basement metal that’s spent too long in the dark.

Neil Arnold

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