Antaeus / Katharsis "Split" 7"

Split 7" inch from these two French/German BM hordes. Pressed on heavy vinyl. Comes with an A4 insert. Katharsis and Antaeus are two of Europe's finest black metal bands in terms of consistency and quality. Both have collaborated with the infamous Norma Evangelium Diaboli and their North American branch the Ajna Offensive. This split EP is a dream come true for the fans of these bands. The vinyl record is thick (really dense!) and comes with a large insert, a staple of Katharsis' splits. Antaeus dominates side A with “Misery to the Defeated”. An ambient intro paves the way for side Antaeus (which is approximately six and a half minutes long). It's alright, but I prefer the more industrialized interludes from Cut Your Flesh and Worship Satan than the synth-pad deal in this song. The actual song begins at about a minute and half. It sounds a lot like the material from De Principii Evangelikum but somehow even more drum-heavy: the bass drums go quite nuts. There is a surprising passage early in the song that is exceedingly melodic for an Antaeus piece and it actually is vaguely reminiscent of Immortal. Besides this patch, there is a recurring passage of melodic tremolo which is again unexpected. A tempo shift harkens back to Wormz on Day VI and then the song is brought to an end via that melodic riff. MkM is one of my favorite black metal vocalists (such conviction and versatility!). I wish his voice was mixed higher than it is, but it still slays! Lyrics on their side of the insert would have been nice, but at least they aren't too hard to decipher. It's notable that this song, as with the Katharsis track, contain a slight frosty edge unseen in the majority of either band's back catalogue. Katharsis' track Black Lust is a nine minute whirlwind-journey of reverbing screams and complex guitar riffs and drum patterns, something they have become known for. The riffing style is familiar to that of their 2009 album Fourth Reich (in fact the song Eucharistick Funereal sounds pretty similar to Black Lust), though this song has a slightly colder touch to it sound-wise than those on Fourth Reich. The track was recorded during the VV VV E sessions and serves as a great transitional piece between the two albums. It begins with a rather official and imperial-sounding voice announcing their declaration of war, and from there on out the listener is immersed in a totally chaotic sphere that could only be brought on by such a band as Katharsis. After about two minutes of lead-in, insane clean screaming (a la vvorld vvithout end) makes a return and Drakh starts belting away on vocal duty. I've always been impressed by his ability to not only write excellent lyrics, but to place them expertly in, around, and on top of the guitar. Every lyric, grunt, and scream have been laid down in precisely the right spots in order to inflict maximum damage. The drumming is brilliant, the riffs are memorable, this band never ceases to dazzle and amaze. The lyrics to the song are included on a very neat insert oozing their aesthetic and littered in artwork. The words are like honey from a viper's fangs; violent and unclean but oh so sweet! Perpetuall slaughter for kill them I must, follow the voice of black blood and black lust! These fifteen minutes of outstanding underground nastiness from these two long running bands are not to be passed up! Cold winter out-takes from their latest albums or something new and surprising, it's up to your interpretation, but regardless of any such conspiracy theories, this is one of the best splits of 2009! Buy buy buy! You know it'll be gone if you take the time to think twice.

Released by NoEvDia.