REVIEW: Zatokrev - Bring Mirrors To The Surface

Zatokrev have been consistently pounding out doomy epics for the past two decades, releasing their eponymous debut in the mid-2000s on the pioneering metal label Earache Records, and are about to release their upcoming LP, Bring Mirrors To The Surface, with Pelagic Records. Their career has been an exploration of their musical skills and creativity, within the parameters of their metal realm. Over the years, they have created a sound they can deliver with finesse and dedication, building a rich and detailed ambience of darkness, and aligning themselves in the vicinity of industrial heavy metalists Neurosis and sludge/proto-grunge Thou.

‘Bring Mirrors To The Surface’ follows the bands gradual move to a more atmospheric sound with a decidedly more introspective lyrical focus from their previous releases. “An album in which to truly lose oneself, these songs provide a candle in the dark, an arcane map, providing directions to the tearing down, and the painful realizing, as a means to metaphysical freedom”. Throughout the album they show us the reach of their repertoire, deploying it in each of their monumentally long tracks saturated in moody tones. The sub-text evokes the depths of some hellish cerebral landscape in which they are searching, drawing on the darkest and sludgiest recesses of metal. 

A standout track is ‘The Only Voice’, an intensely delivered sea of noise with a heavy start, bypassing the long atmospheric build-up employed in some of the other tracks. The vocals are a strained mass blaring out a bitter recital - "A shattering wave of abandoned beings overwhelming grief, unchosen natural equation". A six minute track that shifts in and out of melodic phases, playing with scales gives a lightness that lifts the final moments. The band has been open about the struggles faced in their lives which have given space for the album to come into being, guitarist and vocalist Fredy Rotter contemplates, “Our new album, completed in 2022, reflects a time of profound change and resilience. It's a testament to how challenges were overcome and new beginnings were embraced, both personally and creatively”. 

The shortest track, ‘Faint’, is full of dynamic riffing and power chords which feels like even more of a release than some of the other more intense tracks. The energy of the song feels like the band are having some fun, playing with the levels, thrashing out at full speed. It has a distinctive Rage Against the Machine feel, particularly with vocal intonations, shouting whilst shredding. A real thumping track that has us losing it and moshing out at our desks by the end, as it descends to a brief, sci-fi warble. A very satisfying pallet cleanse between the vehement darkness.

Previously released single, ‘Pearl Eyes’, is full of rippling guitar riffs and power chords. The vocals flip between a straining/screaming black metal style into a creepy singing voice and back again. It’s all building towards one of their epic crescendos, but with a hard and fast finish. In other places on the album, the tracks have a gradual fade out that can last up to a minute, which can be an interesting effect and does feel very purposeful, but in all honestly, it can get stale at points.

It is perhaps an inevitable consequence of being surrounded by the majesty of the Swiss Alps, but Zatokrev really deliver an album of epic proportions, from the ambient layers and big stadium riffing, to the eleven minute long final track - these guys are taking their time and they know how to get their point across. 

Score: 7/10

Bring Mirrors To The Surface will be released on August 29th 2025 via Pelagic Records.

Words: Alana Madden

Photos: Zatokrev