AZZAYA I Begin CD

Hailing from Portalegre, Portugal, Azzaya released their second full-length album, I Begin, on January 13, 2024, through Prophetical Productions. Originally starting as an international project with Turkish roots, Azzaya has since evolved into a firmly Portuguese entity, delivering a devastating brand of Black/Death Metal that focuses on themes of Satanism, existential chaos, and pure sonic ferocity. The album consists of twelve tracks, including several instrumental interludes and a physical-only tribute to the German legends Kreator, resulting in nearly fifty minutes of uncompromising extremity. The sound of I Begin is characterized by its sharp, cutting guitar riffs and a deep, pulsing bass line that provides a thick foundation for the relentless drumming. Vocally, the album is a tour de force of madness, shifting between high-pitched black metal shrieks and deep, ritualistic growls. The project is primarily the vision of multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Gabriel Warmann (also known as Retrofornicator), though the album features guest guitar contributions from André Marmelo and Luis Simão on key tracks. Produced with a raw yet powerful aesthetic, the record successfully bridges the gap between traditional blackened aggression and the technical density of death metal. For those following the modern Lusitanian underground, I Begin serves as a definitive statement of intent, marking the project's transition from a studio effort into a formidable force within the local scene.