Origin:	Austria
Genres:	Black Metal

Last update/review:	January 30, 2010

Hollenthon

Hollenthon is essentially a solo project for one Martin Shirenc, leader of the twisted cult death metal band Pungent Stench. Anyone expecting more Stench dementia is in for a shock, as while Hollenthon is an extreme metal band to be sure, simplistic shock value death metal is not to be found here. Instead, Shirenc has hatched an impressive project here, melding a black metal base with noticeable classical influences, ethnic stylings of various sorts, vocal styles ranging from black to female (courtesy of wife Elena) to male operatic (evoking a harder, meaner Therion), all thrown together without sounding like a mismatch of random influences. While the debut, Domus Mundi, is the more ethnic-flavored of the their two releases thus far, it's really With Vilest Of Worms To Dwell where Martin and friends shine -- released in 2001, it remains one of the best albums of the new millennium, simply a superb release. Shirenc put this project on hold while Pungent Stench was active, but with that band now done, he has refocused here, with a new album released in May 2008.