Oathbreaker

Oathbreaker is a Belgian post-black metal band from Ghent, active since 2008. The group begins as a hardcore band with metalcore elements and then develops into a heavier post-black metal sound, while still retaining traces of hardcore in its earlier work. Its music also incorporates black metal, blackgaze, shoegaze, folk and post-metal influences.

Line-up and affiliation

The band includes Caro Tanghe on vocals, Lennart Bossu and Gilles Demolder on guitar, Wim Coppers on drums, and Ivo Debrabandere, who is listed among the members. Debrabandere is the founding drummer and is replaced by Coppers in 2016. The group is part of Amenra’s Church of Ra collective.

Releases

Oathbreaker releases a self-titled EP, followed by three studio albums: Mælstrøm in 2011, Eros|Anteros in 2013 and Rheia in 2016. The earlier recordings lean more toward hardcore and metalcore, while later material expands into more black metal and blackgaze territory.

Vocal style and sound

Caro Tanghe’s clean vocals are compared with Julie Christmas, while her harsh vocals become more intense and unhinged across the band’s records. The music also develops through the use of blast beats and tremolo-picked melodies, becoming especially pronounced on Rheia.

Label

The band is signed to Deathwish Inc.