Today’s review is of Romanian Experimental Black Metal band Katharos XIII’s upcoming new album, out on May 23rd.
This release follows the genre-bending direction of their previous opus, but it seems to broaden even more their direction, resulting in something daring, obscure and chaotic. It may be comparable to Wolvennest, Cult Of Luna or current Enslaved, but it definitely has its own personality too.
While some parts seem as an apotheosis of Post Metal imbued with a Blackened gloom and other have an obsessive Doom approach that ideally complements the jazzy elements such as the prevalent saxophone, the album as a whole may feel too long for some listener, even if they’re acquainted with the band’s previous endeavours and similar acts. Perhaps the long interludes are the main cause for this, but when their ambience is combined with heavy riffs in a fuzzy cloud of metal, the listener may surely be mesmerised by their occult sonority. As so, this full-length should be played with patience, and it has its rewards for those seeking innovation. My personal highlights are “The Golden Season” and “Ruins”.
I recommend this album to fans of Experimental Black Metal, Post Metal, Dark Ambient and Black Metal with Jazz influences. My rating is of 8,5/10.
VARG THE MIGHTY
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