Setherial - Ekpyrosis

May 6, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

True to its ever-reliable evil form, Setherial is back with its sixth release, Ekpyrosis. The Swedish set has been waving the black metal torches for seventeen long years and the latest release is a fine continuation of its storied black arts career.

While prey to the old revolving-door-of-members scenario over the years, the current line-up (semi-stable since the previous offering Death Triumphant) issues another black metal effort that keeps tradition going and assails the senses through pure black energy. One band that has had little straying periods is Setherial. Even though Death Triumphant saw mixed reviews I felt it was a fine offering, but Ekpyrosis seems to follow the Nord or Hell Eternal route. It’s fast, unrelenting black metal that forces its way into your psyche and bombards you with drumming from hell and some quick, concise guitar work that changes shape adequately over the course of forty-five minutes.

Vocalist Infaustus still sails over the music on an ethereal wind, whispering and screeching his way through great tracks like “The Mournful Sunset of the Forsaken,” a resilient track that offers a bit more than the typical black metal song; its somber, yet speedy issuance allows for some great moments of charm and elegance (yes, it can be found in black metal music - true black metal). Keeping Sweden on the black map is easy when bands stay true to the formula that works for them.

“The Devouring Eye” is really what black metal is all about: a fast, unapologetic foray into speed and hatred that truly defies convention and trend and sticks to the origin of the genre. When bands like Darkthrone and Burzum have more or less strayed from the “true” black form of late, Setherial keeps it alive and breathing, as well it should. With a decent production throughout (save for the pesky bass being drowned in the mix a bit) Ekpyrosis is an immediate and indelible successor to Death Triumphant. Its moodiest parts are only complimented by the brutally-fast trampling Setherial is famous for, making for a nice mixture of emotional struggle when taking it all in during one sitting. However, it certainly deserves more than one listen.  

When black metal needs occasional saving, Setherial might be the army with which to align ourselves - they would lead us well.

Release Date: June 14, 2010
Label: Regain Records 

TRACK LISTING

1.  A World in Hell
2.  Ekpyrosis
3.  The Mournful Sunset
     of the Forsaken
4.  The Devouring Eye
5.  Subsequent Emissions
     from a Frozen Galaxy
6.  Thoughts of Life They Wither
7.  Celestial Remains of the
     Cosmic Creation
8.  Enemy of Creation

Total playing time:  44:39

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