UADA is latin for "haunted." Despite becoming more and more interested in the West Coast BM scene, I still give the kids a lot of sh#t for where they come from. As someone who now lives in Portland, I often get wrapped up in the level of privilege some people seem to carry around here, or a holier-than-thou attitude not unlike the San Franciscans in that (hilarious) episode of South Park. But one breath of the fresh air each morning and a gaze down the hill I live on reminds me of all of the trees and nature surrounding this city. It feels that this is a driving force for the Portland band, and the reason why they manage to stay true to their name.

Indeed there is plenty reason for spirits to lurk in these forests, and those same spirits come to life on Devoid of Light. No post-whatever for this USBM. UADA seem far more comfortable keeping things grim a la Pale Chalice and Absu. In fact, the group is so convincing in their passionate howls and completely ruinous runs of tremolo as to conjure images of an act that in a past life hailed from Norway or Sweden. Mind you it's not atonal as Under a Funeral Moon. There is the essence of melody. But rather than reaching into post-rock and alternative, UADA tread the paths of Taake.

Everything we learned in the development of the genre in the 80's and 90's is represented here; just faster, harder, and more intensely than ever. Songs seem crafted for maximum impact, avoiding the monotony of atmospheric BM in favor of compositions that really pop. Case in point, check out that blast of rocking power chords breaking up the fierce tremolo action of "S.N.M.," or the subsequent mournful hook. And as you can see above, the title track brings the fury at a level that rivals the disturbing nature of the video itself.

If you are a fan of groups like Skeletonwitch or Corpus Christii, Devoid of Light is definitely something you should check out. The album carries the lamentation of ghosts, often igniting into a fire of vengeance. I'm not sure how this small group of guys, all living in a region known for hipsters, surfers, and environmentalists, all managed to find eachother and form such a tight sound. But maybe that's the answer right there: a shared disdain for many of the people around them. Make your own interpretation below.