Electronic/Review OCCULTRA - Heart Of The Hunter

OCCULTRA is a dark, cinematic synthwave project blending aggressive analog synths with beautiful, haunting melodies. Drawing from retro-futurism and modern electronic intensity, the sound balances neon-lit nostalgia with a colder, heavier atmosphere. OCCULTRA’s music moves between high-energy propulsion and immersive mood, evoking late-night cityscapes, danger, and distorted romance. Influenced by the raw drive of Carpenter Brut, OCCULTRA delivers synthwave that is both visceral and melodic.

OCCULTRA’s “Heart Of The Hunter” is a ferocious, neon-drenched album that thrives on controlled chaos. Spanning a tight 32 minutes, the record feels like a late-night sprint through haunted cyberpunk streets, where pounding electronics, warped synths, and sharp hooks collide with cinematic intensity. It’s an album that never overstays its welcome, instead delivering an adrenaline-fueled experience from start to finish.

The title track, “Heart Of The Hunter,” immediately sets the tone with its fast-paced energy and unapologetic attitude. It’s playful and aggressive at once, pairing distorted synth lines with melodies that are unexpectedly catchy. That balance between intensity and accessibility is one of OCCULTRA’s strongest traits. While the sound often feels chaotic, it’s never careless—each track is meticulously shaped, revealing the artist’s growing confidence as both producer and storyteller.

Tracks like “The Faster We Go” introduce a more traditional structure, allowing breakdowns to breathe and giving the listener moments of clarity amid the frenzy. These contrasts add depth to the album, preventing it from becoming a relentless wall of sound. Lyrically, OCCULTRA taps into themes of obsession, momentum, and inner darkness, all filtered through occult imagery and retro-futuristic aesthetics inspired by 80s pop culture.

What makes “Heart Of The Hunter” especially compelling is its DIY spirit. Produced entirely in OCCULTRA’s home studio in Kokkola, Finland, the album radiates raw authenticity. Influences from artists like GUNSHIP and Carpenter Brut are evident, yet the sound feels distinctly personal. “Heart Of The Hunter” is a bold statement from an artist carving out his own shadowy corner of electronic music—intense, melodic, and thrillingly unpredictable.