You can hardly call the Italian trio Spite Extreme Wing trend-hoppers. Dubbing themselves “anti-depressive black metal”, they are leaders, not followers, aiming to shatter your preconception of the genre. While shallower listeners might think of them as a melodically-inclined Drudkh (they also bear similarities to related band and countrymen Janvs), you don’t have to dig deep to see their countless other influences, including but not limited to neofolk, surf rock, and The Beatles. Vltra is a fresh breath in the sails of a long dormant ship, and a very welcome addition to any extreme music-collection.