Split: De Profundis vs. Velm

I am going to do splits a little bit differently from now on.  I have always treated them as a sort of competition before, now I am just going to make that a little more explicit.  This one is a little different because both sides of the split were actually previous releases by each respective band, rather than new material specifically produced to be part of the split.  This is exemplified by the fact that both sides have their own title and their own cover.

DE PROFUNDIS - HAUNTED BY ILL ANGELS ONLY

Disappointingly, this is not the U.K.-based De Profundis that released the terrific The Emptiness Within in 2012.  This one is a black metal band from Hungary.  This was originally released as a demo in 2009 before being collected on this split.  The band has gone on to release just one full-length to date.  The De Profundis side is significantly shorter than the other side.  There are three traditional black metal songs and a shorter instrumental one.  The basic black metal songs are generally fast-paced with fairly standard tremolo riffing and some random Eastern European folk elements.  There are frequent keyboard melodies adding to the folk elements and making things interesting.  It is an interesting release, but not terribly ground-breaking.

VELM: SONGS OF AUTUMN

Velm is also a Hungarian black metal band, but their music veers more toward the pagan black metal sound.  This was originally released as Velm's first EP in 2012, which is kind of shocking given how good this sounds.  A lot of the same elements that are present on the De Profundis side are here as well, but for whatever reason, Velm does a much better job with it.  The music is atmospheric and organic-sounding, but with some powerful riffs and generally an uplifting sound, which is rare in black metal.  Of particular note is the brilliant title track.  And when the band is playing something more sinister, it comes out extremely bleak and discomforting.  

THE WINNER: VELM

Pretty obvious that was going to be my pick.  The Velm side is leaps and bounds better than the De Profundis side, and it is not at all like I disliked the De Profundis side.  Velm just sounds much more professional and advanced.  I liked it so much that I picked up both of Velm's full-length albums recently.  Those reviews are to come later.