Hidden Gems & Guilty Pleasures: Uada (USA)
Photo credits: Peter Beste
Uada (Melodic Black Metal // USA)
Since their formation in 2014, Uada’s rise has been meteoric. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, the band quietly released their debut album, »Devoid Of Light« in 2016 through and word of mouth quickly built from there: here was black metal writ large, classic and uncompromising but brimming with power, soul, and artistry, and all without bluster and bathos. Uada’s debut album surely expanded the lexicon of the melodic black metal idiom, and the underground took notice.
Two years later came »Cult Of A Dying Sun«, whereby the band further perfected their craft and compellingly took to the stage, their performances garnering as much acclaim as their recordings. During all this, more than the underground started to take notice; the name Uada was on the tongues of folks usually reticent to black metal.
In 2020, almost effortlessly, Uada fully perfect their craft and delivered »Djinn«. Simply titled but by no means simple in construction nor execution, »Djinn« builds upon the increasingly ambitious songwriting of its no-less-considerable predecessor, but pushes their dazzling artistry into nearly Technicolor landscapes of the Beyond.
On their fourth full-length album »Crepuscule Natura« (2023), Uada provides all their memorable hooks, tasteful leads, and riding blasts in their distinct style, balancing their epic surging melodies with powerful spurts of aggression. Just like the band’s smoke-heavy shows, the momentum and emphasis of their craft always stays grandiose, mythical, and triumphant – all the while making sure to birth a couple of new fan favorites and soon-to-be staple live songs.
Five sonic vessels form the nucleus of »Crepuscule Natura«, and within it’s 41 minutes, the record easily creates a sonic and aesthetic bridge between the band’s debut, »Devoid Of Light« (2016), and their sophomore effort »Cult Of A Dying Sun« (2018), only to forge onward upon the relentless path set forth with »Djinn« (2020). Here, a more refined and muscular, yet no less melodic stronghold awaits.
»Crepuscule Natura«, once again graced by the artwork of legendary Kris Verwimp and photo work by Peter Beste, shows Uada on fire to unleash the marrow of black heavy metal.
Discography:
• »Devoid Of Light« LP (Eisenwald, 2016)
• »Cult Of A Dying Sun« LP (Eisenwald, 2018)
• »Djinn« LP (Eisenwald, 2020)
• »Retraversing The Void« Single (Eisenwald, 2023)
• »The Dark (Winter)« Single (Eisenwald, 2023)
• »Crepuscule Natura« LP (Eisenwald, 2023)
• »The Purging Fire« Single (Eisenwald, 2026)
• »Something In The Way« Single (Eisenwald, 2026)
Uada is:
Jake Superchi – Vocals, Guitars
Nate Verschoor – Bass
Rob Shaffer – Guitars
Pierce Williams – Drums
FFO: Dissection, Gaerea, Wolves In The Throne Room, Mgła, Groza, Wiegedood, Agalloch, Spectral Wound
Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well