From Malmö, Sweden comes the vengeful, satanic, feminist sound of Völva; a howling, hate-filled voice of rage, fuelled by the fire and the fists that have subjugated womankind since the old ways were undone by the insidious Christian contamination of the world. Born in the simmering underground cauldrons of punk and black metal the band built their foundations with a self-titled demo and the highly regarded Promises Unfold As Lies EP - and now the time for the unveiling of their mesmerising, intimidating full length debut album is at hand. Desires Profane begins with the acidic malice of 'The Tower' and immediately draws you into its world of flame and shadow. With its clarity edged with dirt and direct, unflinching approach 'The Tower' begins to carve out a strange soundscape of distinct character, with melody implied rather than simply stated. Familiar yet unsettlingly different_it's an aura that permeates the whole album. 'Walk With Me', primal and chaotic, infused with anger and a sense of the forbidden that underlines the fact that Völva are born of different blood, a breed apart and your welcome into their circle is by no means assured. 'Never Forgive' stalks you like a blood encrusted valkyrie with a slow menace and a Transylvanian hunger, while 'The Serpent' sinks its needle fangs of nightmare into your quivering flesh, injecting the venom as cold flames lick at your nerve endings. The dark and ragged glory that unfolds as Desires Profane progresses is both addictive and magnificent. This is black metal at its assured and powerful, cruel and angular best, attacking with a merciless and fiercely focused purpose. Finishing with 'Vagabond' that brings a pagan lilt to its grimy onslaught, a hymn to forgotten times before the coming of the worm, Desires Profane leaves you in no doubt that Völva want to tear down everything that you know and set light to all you think you understand.