From the depths of the American black metal underground comes UADA, a band founded in Portland in 2014. Their name is derived from a Latin word meaning “possessed / haunted.” Visually, they place strong emphasis on anonymity — on stage they perform shrouded in black hoods, aiming to let the music speak for itself and suppress any personal ego that might interfere with their artistic expression. Stylistically, they are devoted to melodic black metal, drawing inspiration from bands such as Dissection and Mgła, while incorporating prominent melodic loops and shifting riffs into their compositions.

Their discography includes several notable releases so far: the debut Devoid of Light was released in 2016, bringing a raw yet melancholic atmosphere driven by dense tremolo-picked guitars. Their second album, Cult of a Dying Sun (2018), presented a more mature approach, featuring greater tempo variety, acoustic passages, and even piano elements. Their third record, Djinn (2020), further confirms their growth and their ability to balance dark, extreme sound with strong melodic components. Despite their relatively short existence, the band has earned respect and admiration across the international black metal scene — thanks in part to their European tours and their distinctive visual identity.