Review: Strega “Strix Strega Strygae”

Release date: Out now!

3–5 minutes

Review

Strix Strega Strygae opens with an eerie groan that sets a spooky atmosphere before diving headfirst into some punchy, no-nonsense heavy metal. Even with its heavy, aggressive sound, the track manages to retain a surprising sense of airiness, thanks to the spacious mix and flowing guitar harmonies.

Stryx’s vocal approach leans into a throaty, confrontational style—more raw than melodic—which comes as a bit of a surprise. Sparing but effective group chants add bursts of energy and texture without overstaying their welcome. Midway through, a flurry of double kicks drives the momentum beneath more lush guitar harmonies, eventually giving way to a stylish solo section that blends single-line phrasing with layered melodies.

The mid-tempo moments are particularly expressive, with heartfelt emotion woven into both the riffs and vocal lines. One odd detour occurs in a section where the synth overlays feel out of place and somewhat distracting, breaking the track’s cohesion. However, it recovers beautifully with a ghostly interlude featuring soft choral backing and a tender lead melody that adds an emotional punch.

Overall, it’s an intriguing and dynamic opening track that showcases both musical muscle and atmospheric finesse.

Era Kuolemann charges ahead with thunderous double-kick drumming and fiery guitar work that immediately sets an epic, adventurous tone. The momentum soon shifts into a slower, almost marching pace where the vocals take center stage. By this point, it’s clear that the vocal direction might divide listeners — it’s a bold stylistic choice that won’t resonate with everyone, though that’s largely a matter of personal taste.

That said, the guitar work in this slower section is genuinely compelling, with riffs that beg for some slow-motion headbanging. The track smartly weaves in bursts of high-speed intensity, injecting energy and keeping the dynamics alive. Around the midpoint, some clean, melodic vocal ideas emerge and work surprisingly well — a refreshing contrast to the harsher delivery found elsewhere.

Lush lead guitars shimmer throughout, often surfacing behind the vocals and adding emotional depth. The pace picks up again in brief but effective bursts, and while the demonic vocal screams add drama, they do feel a bit overused at times. Toward the end, the track surprises with the eerie pluck of harpsichord notes and dark choral “ah, ah, ah” vocals that lend a theatrical punch and an ominous flair.

Til-Aar Hyleventïdar steps in with a springy momentum, opening with a tightly driven, harmonized riff that’s energetic, though it leans toward repetition. The signature dark vocals return, this time accompanied by subtle background pads that help give the section some atmospheric weight. During this part, the focus seems to shift more toward mood and texture — while the guitars tear open in the background, the drums and bass provide a steady, grounded foundation.

Additional vocals and snarled leads are layered into the mix, though they don’t contribute much dynamically or emotionally. Before long, the intro riff cycles back in, and we’re led into another pad-heavy segment. Throughout the song, there’s a persistent sense of darkness and unease — a tone that lingers and defines the track’s emotional character.

Eventually, we hit another harmonized guitar section with some strongriffing, though again, it borders on feeling overly familiar. The high-pitched, “squeaky” synths layered over top feel more distracting than complementary, disrupting the otherwise moody atmosphere.

The solo section is pleasant enough, though it doesn’t break new ground or stand out as a highlight. The track eventually circles back to more soft vocal passages, snarls, and repeated ideas that echo what we’ve already heard. While there are strong components throughout, the song as a whole feels like it’s treading familiar ground a bit too often.

Conclusion

Strega’s three-track EP spans 15 minutes and presents a mix of abstract ideas and more focused moments. It has the feel of a stream of consciousness, as if thoughts are being laid down in real time—sometimes coherent, sometimes meandering. While it retains a heavy metal foundation, the harsh, distant vocal style pushes the sound into black metal territory. Not every idea fully lands, and the EP can feel a bit repetitive or safe at times, particularly in its vocal direction, which may not suit everyone. Still, the strong guitar work and overall ambition make it a noteworthy listen. I’m curious to see how the band evolves from here.

TheNwothm Score: 7/10

Links

Bandcamp: https://maskedeadrecords.bandcamp.com/album/strix-strega-strygae

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strega.officialband

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strega_band

Label: https://maskeddeadrecords.com/