Band info
Band: Ozuye
Album: Demo I
Genre: black metal
Released: May 28, 2026
Location: US
Review
Over the last few years, we’ve seen a significant rise in extreme music, particularly Black Metal, with its roots in Native North American culture. It totally makes sense if you look at it. The deep connection to nature, the elements, the spiritual. Also, the systematic historical oppression of said culture by their imperialist invaders makes it a fertile ground for expressing hatred for imperialism through sound.
Ozuye is a band from Portland, Oregon, and their name translates to ‘War Party’ in Lakota. This demo, while very brief (only just over 8 minutes) it offers a great start for this very promising project. The track ‘Maelstrom’ does a pretty good job of what to expect sound-wise. Furious raw black metal, with only a very brief atmospheric moment at the beginning before Ozuye sprint out of the gate. The best description is that it is a mix of the modern wave of ‘nature-inspired’ bands like Wolves In The Throne Room, Fauna, Panopticon, etc., and with a healthy dose of mid ‘90s orthodox Black Metal. Subtle synths enhance the sound. The demo doesn’t give you room to breathe and races along at a raging tempo. Lyrics-wise, they may not be as easily identifiable as Anti-Fascist, but it’s pretty clear that this demo is a statement against the oppression of Native tribes. A statement we here at ABMN highly approve of.