Arkhon Infaustus - Passing the Nekromanteion

ARKHON INFAUSTUS - Passing the Nekromanteion (LADLO Productions CD 2017)

It's been pretty long time, since Arkhon Infaustus was last seen alive and active. Let me remind you that their last album "Orthodoxyn" came out in 2007 and then the band was put on ice for almost seven years. But now Arkhon Infaustus are back... but with only DK Deviant left from the old line up. Neither Toxik Harmst nor Torturer are involved in Arkhon anymore. I don't really know the reasons, but I can say that it definitely is good to see Arkhon back and with new recording, which is "Passing the Nekromanteion" EP. Another surprise is the fact that it isn't released by Osmose, who unleashed all the previous Arkhon Infaustus pestilence. Les Acteurs de l'Ombre Productions is their new label and looking at their roster it can be quite surprising choice. But for me it's also good news, because LADLO is great, constantly improving record label. Enough of all that bullshit, let's check "Passing the Nekromanteion", shall we? 

And yeah, I have to say that from the beginning this EP really blew my head off. It surely is a worthy and great comeback, even if this new Arkhon music is a little bit different from their old stuff. Sure, you'll find here these ultra fuckin aggressive and vicious black / death metal pieces, which could be compared to the likes of Belphegor or Angelcorpse and which characterized also the old Arkhon albums. Such "The Precipice Where Souls Slither" will rip your guts out instantly. Great, blasting, ferocious track, filled with killer riffs and such a good performance from both Deviant and Skvm (drums). Pure violence and intensity. Obviously, the other songs have also a lot in common with the Arkhon Infaustus of old, but tempo wise it isn't necessarily at constant full speed. There's a lot of variation about not only the tempos, but also about the riff style, the atmosphere of the music, etc. Sick blasts come together with almost ritualistic aura, but there are also some quite memorable and even slightly melodic parts. "Corrupted Épignosis" can be even controversial for the old Arkhon Infaustus fans, as this ten minutes long epic monument is instrumental and so different to the black / death metal savagery this band usually delivers. It has almost modern style black metal feel, but damn, I like this song a lot. I like all four songs, which are on "Passing the Nekromanteion", this EP is impressive and very damn well written and performed. It has this epic, but vicious and sick feeling, which works very well.  

So, if I am allowed to give my verdict, then I can only say that this is a great return and a killer new recording from Arkhon Infaustus. I'm waiting for more, I believe there will be more, there must be! 

Standout tracks: all are equally good 

Final rate: 80/100