Astarte
Demonized
7.5
Rising up from the frigid waters of the Aegean, Astarte intends to launch a scathing blackened musical assault on your ears. While they may be better known for their atypical band lineup than for their music, they mean business on this release, their fifth full-length in the past decade. Often dubbed a black metal act, this is my first experience with these Greeks and I hear a lot of melody lurking beneath the icy riffs and screams from the nether world.
Arguments can go back and forth over whether this is more black or more death, but who cares, it is heavy and that’s what matters. The production has a loud modern sound with a dominant placement for the guitars and vocals. The drums could sound better, as they tend to blur together when too much is happening.
“Mutter Astarte” kicks things off with a thrashy feel complete with strong riffing and leads. I hear some of Arch Enemy’s better moments in this song and others throughout the album. Maybe not-so-coincidentally, Angela Gossow drops by to guest on a song towards the end of the album. Guest appearances are all over this album, including Henry from God Dethroned and Attila of Mayhem. The other special guest is Nicolas Sic Maiis, from lead singer Tristessa’s other band Lloth. He steps in on a barnburner of a song called “God Among Men”. The chorus riff is whiplash-inducing. “Lycon” (with Attila) exposes their blackened roots with requisite tremolo progressions. “Everlast”, part I of an acoustic guitar and piano pair of songs generates a compelling juxtaposition when a distorted guitar and her usual harsh vocals play atop the mellow piano during the song’s climax. “Everlast II” keeps it instrumental and quiet, providing a calming end to the album.
Demonized is a caustic disc of extreme metal; thrash, death, and black. It has moments that drag, as all albums do, but certain moments when they really lock in are inspiring. I can imagine this record appealing to a wider set of fans than those that will actually get to hear it due to their small-label representation, so take a few minutes out of your day and spin a few of these songs.
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AstarteSirens
4/22/2004