Katari - Ave, Rex Ivdaeorvm!

KATARI - Ave, Rex Ivdaeorvm! (FROM DEEPEST Records CD 2018)

Peru is not really a country, where someone would look for quality black metal. But it doesn't mean it doesn't exist there. I know Katari from their "At Peace" EP, a cassette, which I got few years ago and really enjoyed. Now this two-men project is back with their debut full length "Ave, Rex Ivdaeorvm!" (released by From Deepest Records) and again I have to say that it's just great piece of obscure black metal, which caught my attention from the very first till their very last song. It obviously is not an album, which will receive a great success and which offers the most spectacular piece of black metal. Nope! But it just sounds very, very solid and exactly within the old school black metal standards, which the die-hard maniacs worship. 

When I listen to Katari and "Ave, Rex Ivdaeorvm!", yet again I get this feeling that this album should have been released 25 years ago. It perfectly reflects that cold, grim and hateful feeling of obscure black metal from the early 90's. Production wise it's better, it doesn’t sound like recorded in a fuckin bunker. The sound is clean, but harsh and vicious at the same time, what fits this music perfectly and still gives you similar vibe to the old releases. And stylistically I think that Katari could be compared to whole bunch of different bands: from early Samael, Holy Death, through Darkthrone, Gorgoroth and Burzum and ending this with newer bands like Urgehal. I like that Katari doesn't limit themselves to only one classic style with one sort of simplistic riff and rhythm, but there's whole bunch of different stuff, with diverse tempos, etc. I suppose that fast pace is the most often present here ("Impaled on a Phallic Cross", etc), but slower stuff is here also and in songs like "Fucked by Serpents" it just works great. Even instrumental track "Pure Hate" sounds very good, as kind of slow paced introduction to more vicious and aggressive "Extermination" (which is very much in the classic Norwegian black metal vein). The music always sounds very straight forward and harsh, the riffs are pretty simplistic and barbarian, yet a lot of them are quite memorable. So, it's great old school black metal to listen to. It's even better that Katari are from Peru, it makes their music more exotic but worthy also, when compared to yet another European or US occult fancy black metal type of band. So, if you dig the deepest pits of underground but have not yet had a chance to hear Katari, I strongly recommend "Ave, Rex Ivdaeorvm!". 

Standout tracks: "Impaled on a Phallic Cross", "Extermination", "Mutilated and Inverted" 

Verdict: 75/100 

Sacrofuck / Enterchrist - Split CD

SACROFUCK / ENTERCHRIST - Split CD (PUTRID CULT - CD 2018)

I have small problem with Putrid Cult Productions. This label has some very interesting and worthy releases in the catalogue, from bands which Morgul brought straight from the deepest pits of extreme metal underground. But that catalogue is also filled with few forgettable and weak releases, which I think are only waste of time and money, nothing else. Well, two bands on this split CD, which I have to describe now, are not the worst stuff from Putrid Cult, but far from the best also. It's just very, very mediocre and I am afraid that such split CD is rather destined to perish in oblivion. Few will like it, most will not even bother to check it. That's the truth. Do I recommend it? Only if you have plenty of time to waste. 

First there's Sacrofuck. I have their split with Execution of Light / Putrid Evil and I'm trying to recall if I actually ever listened to it. I don't think I did haha! Anyway, here we have five songs from Sacrofuck and all I can say about their music is that it's disgusting, filthy and rather primitive sounding death metal. Which is good of course, we all like when death metal sounds nasty, right? It's a bit alike to Autopsy, but without that doomy aspect and brilliance in riff sector. It's slightly more brutal also. I definitely like their part of the split better, the music has nice groove sometimes and really repulsive, vulgar character. Such songs like "Jacek G." and "Pętla" are definitely worth checking, in my opinion, there are some cool riffs, nice morbid feel! But is it enough to really pay attention to Sacrofuck? Well, maybe yes, maybe no... it depends how many new bands you wanna check per month. It is OK to listen to, I do quite like it, but with so many killer bands around, it's also instantly forgettable. Just very, very underground kind of stuff for die hard maniacs. 

Enterchrist is next. I have very little information about this project, but I think they're also Polish and this is their debut recording??? Musically it's more grinding kind of death metal, even more brutal and heavier than Sacrofuck stuff. It's also faster and almost punkish in its structure and simplicity. And the vocals are as nasty, guttural and extreme as possible. And well, it's not my kind of stuff, really. Sure, there are some interesting aspects in this music - some cool riffs (like in "The Morning of the 14th Day", this song has awesome groove!), even this vomiting vocal of Mr. Cock (ha!) are cool. But I can't feel much excitement from such music. It doesn't disturb me, I can play to occasionally, but would I be able to "love" it? I don't think so. Again, it's very small, underground band, which devoted extreme metallers could check, but nothing obligatory. 

Standout tracks: "Jacek G.", "Pętla", "The Morning of the 14th Day" 

Verdict: 60/100 

Apostasy - Sunset of the End / Fraud in the Name of God

APOSTASY - Sunset of the End / Fraud in the Name of God (FALLEN TEMPLE - CD 2018)

This Chilean band was formed already way back in 1988, but I don't think I've ever heard about them before. If I'm wrong, then at least this is the first time I can listen to their music. Fallen Temple has just re-released Apostasy's debut album "Sunset of the End" from 1991, with "Fraud in the Name of God" demo as a bonus. It's actually second time this set is released – previous version came from Proselytism Records from Chile. I know this label, I have maybe three releases from their catalogue and I love them (love their 7" size digipaks and the layout they always come up with). But their range was rather local, so it's good for Apostasy to have their old recordings released also for European market, which can give them a bit more exposure. They may need it, since Apostasy is back and active after 10 years of lying in the grave. It's actually only one original member Cris Profaner with two new musicians. But that doesn't matter. They're back, but before I give a listen to their new EP "The Blade of Hell", I played "Sunset of the End" several times. 

And well, what we have here is thrash metal band, with small hint of ancient, archaic death metal thrown here and there. Since the album is from 1991, you can easily guess that the music is as traditional as it can only be. Dark Angel, Sepultura, Slayer, Possessed – such bands are the most obvious influences for Apostasy, maybe also some of their countrymates like Pentagram. They have nice razor-sharp riffs, with good dose of aggression and that thrashing old school vibe, which is so characteristic for these old days. Their music is mostly fast, so I can only imagine what madness it could have awakened under the stage among South American fans when played live. They love such stuff!  

As for me... Well, I found some good tunes here, definitely "Sunset of the End" has its "moments"… but on the other hand the whole album, with the demo, go for nearly 75 minutes, so I quickly got fed up and simply fuckin bored. It doesn't matter if they have some killer riffs here and there and that the album is a nice relict from the past. It's just not good enough to keep me interested for so long. I felt that I would rather listen to something else, because Apostasy doesn't feed my hunger for killer metal! Good riff here, good song there, but everything becomes too blurry after a while and especially the demo material becomes irritating. Besides, along some dull moments, I can't stand some of the vocals, especially when they tend to sound a bit cleaner, sang with more normal voice rather than a vicious scream. Oh boy, this dude cannot sign at all! So, I'm sorry to say but I spend few hours with this album, but turned it off with feeling of relief that it's over and I can finally play something else. 

OK. I checked and it turns out I was mistaken. I did hear Apostasy before, because their song is on Proselytism compilation CD "Ill Futuro...", which I have in my collection. They also appeared in Compilation of Death zine. Their name never stayed in my mind for long, after listening to this CD I know why. 

Verdict: 60/100 

Sacrificulus - Uada Magus

SACRIFICULUS - Uada Magus (PUTRID CULT - CD 2018)

Sacrificulus is new project from Lord K. of Nekkrofukk infame. Together with Ritual Bloodshed's drummer an album called "Uada Magus" was created. And Putrid Cult released it. First thing, which caught my attention was the artwork and photographs for "Uada Magus". Great band logo, fantastic pictures of both band members and then there's also the front artwork, with the purple church on it – which obviously gives you a strong resemblance to "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas". A closer look and you can also spot there a hanged man and shadow of death holding the scythe. Very, very nice presentation. 

And the music? Well, Sacrificulus' simplistic and utterly raw black metal is not for everyone. If you only just started to listen to this music and have not yet adopted to its most cryptic and primitive forms, then "Uada Magus" will disgust you. So, forget about clean production, melodies, keyboards or catchy riffs. Sacrificulus definitely stand on a side of crude and harsh sounding black metal, with almost square simple riffs, basic arrangements, sloppy playing and strong primitive feeling. Their sound is almost like from the mouldy bunker, it stinks like decaying corpse and atmosphere-wise it's just very cold and obscure. Do not expect any "fireworks" in Sacrificuls music, do not expect to hear even one catchy melody or single memorable riff. It's completely opposite to that. And that "Deathcrush" cover becomes a good comparison of what Sacrificulus music is like.  

But is it anything interesting at least? Well, yes. I quite like "Uada Magus", I like that primitive nature and morbid, deathly atmosphere of this music. It's nothing spectacular or fantastic, yet when played in proper conditions, these sounds actually become quite hypnotizing. It's not an album, which you could play if you want to listen to something entertaining, it just won't work that way. But have it played in the night or when you take a walk in frosty woods – this is when such music will make sense. This is when its dark, primitive and negative aura will speak to you. On the other hand, I have to say that I couldn't spin to "Uada Magus" more than twice. After a while the music becomes quire tiring, so I felt a need to play something else. But I will be back to Sacrificulus for sure. 

Standout track: "Seven Skulls of Wrath" 

Verdict: 70/100