DEMO REVIEW: “Promo 2024” by Liberator

Formed in Sri Lanka in 2008 by RAVULU and Shokaagni, Liberator was never about rushing things. The band spent nearly a decade forging its vision, unaffected by trends and dedicated to crafting something truly unique. When they moved operations to Canada in 2016, with Murmur on drums, they began to slowly raise their presence, releasing only an instrumental demo in 2017. Now, with "Promo 2024", the band makes a bold proclamation—an impactful, uncompromising, and unrefined musical barrage that embodies the essence of their black metal roots.
Liberator
Liberator

There’s something undeniably exciting about waiting for a promising band to return after a long silence. It’s like standing on the edge of a precipice, not knowing when or if the plunge will come, but feeling an exhilarating tension in the air. After seven years of anticipation, Liberator, one of the forces from the depths of Sri Lanka has finally emerged with some fresh material. Bluntly entitled “Promo 2024“, the three-track offering serves as both a glimpse and a warning—teasing us with what’s to come in their full-length debut, due in 2025.

Liberator

Liberator
© Pia Lorena Osses

Track Analysis

From the moment “The Third Key” begins, you’re hooked by its commanding vocals, a relentless howl that grips you with an almost hypnotic force. The track mesmerizes from start to finish, pulling you deeper into its abyss. This is the black metal song you didn’t realize your playlist was missing. It’s not just raw; it’s calculated, expertly crafted to evoke feelings of dread and awe. Every growl, every beat, feels purposeful, drawing you into its shadowy grasp with precision and chaos entwined. Liberator has redefined what black metal should sound like here, and it’s exactly the kind of dark energy I crave.

Starting slowly, “The Eye of Flesh” creates an almost eerie atmosphere with its gradual build-up. But then, as the track evolves, the composition reveals layers of intricacy that make this a standout moment on “Promo 2024”. The transition from its slower pace to a full-on storm is seamless—showcasing not only the band’s skill but their ability to conjure a world within each track. It’s a masterclass in dynamics, offering a constant push-pull between restraint and release. The relentless tension makes the song feel like it’s constantly on the verge of exploding, and when it does, it’s everything you’ve been waiting for.

To Leap Mountains, To Laugh at Walls“, however, is where the full weight of Liberator’s vision truly comes to fruition. The song speaks to me on a deeply personal level, carrying a special meaning that elevates it above the rest. The vocals, once again, are the driving force here—gritty, raw, and yet somehow transcendent. It’s a track that makes you want to scream along, releasing everything you’ve been holding in. With its fierce presence, it’s the kind of song I didn’t know I needed to hear, but now that I have, I can’t get enough.

Liberator

Liberator

Liberator
© Pia Lorena Osses

Artwork Analysis

The artwork accompanying “Promo 2024” is as compelling as the music itself. It features a skeletal figure holding a scythe, perched atop the planet Earth. The figure exudes an aura of both menace and authority, standing as a god-like entity in a fiery backdrop. The imagery speaks to themes of power, destruction, and inevitability, perfectly mirroring the intensity of the music. It is a fitting representation of Liberator’s return—a force that’s risen, unchallenged, and ready to claim its place in the metal pantheon.

Liberator

The cover artwork for “Promo 2024”
© Nosferatu

Final Words

Formed in Sri Lanka in 2008 by RAVULU and Shokaagni, Liberator was never about rushing things. The band spent nearly a decade forging its vision, unaffected by trends and dedicated to crafting something truly unique. When they moved operations to Canada in 2016, with Murmur on drums, they began to slowly raise their presence, releasing only an instrumental demo in 2017. Now, with “Promo 2024”, the band makes a bold proclamation—an impactful, uncompromising, and unrefined musical barrage that embodies the essence of their black metal roots.

Released digitally and on cassette via විරෑපී (VIRŪPI) on December 13, 2024, “Promo 2024” is not just a return; it’s a strike—a violent, primal reawakening.

Tracklist

“The Third Key” [04:27];

“The Eye of Flesh” [04:29];

“To Leap Mountains, To Laugh at Walls” [05:27].

Where to Find Liberator

Bandcamp: https://virupi.bandcamp.com/album/promo-2024.

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