Asaru - From The Chasms Of Oblivion
Despite being a relatively 'new' Black Metal band with their official debut released back in 2009, and now their sophomore effort three years later, Asaru is older than some might expect. Originally from Germany, vocalist Frank Nordman moved to Norway in 2007 and ultimately took the band with him. Not wanting to be a one man group, Asaru was put on hiatus for a bit until new member could be found, and the band was reactive in 2009. Following a semi-traditional approach to Black Metal, much of the music on the debut was furious and fast paced with little room for progressive melody or ambient sections. At the same time, it was not the traditional kvlt shriek fest that so many groups do these days. On the band's sophomore effort, 'From The Chasm Of Oblivion,' Asaru still follows that formula, but have upped the length of most of the tracks and added a little more melody. It no longer feels like Dark Funeral but Dark Funeral meets Naglfar. Tracks like "At Night They Fly" showcase the typical structure of what Asaru is like: razor sharp guitars but with plenty of sectioned rhythms, blasphemously fast drumming, and a switch between fast and mid pace tempos so some sort of groove can be felt by listeners but overall still feeling chilled by the tone of the music. Vocally, sometimes the snarls can be hard to hear as they try to stray away from the typical high pitched wail of death, but are not so muddled that they cannot be heard- think of them as being similar to Dark Fortress's work.
On some of the other tracks listeneres will notice how Asaru really upped their game this time. For the first four tracks listeners might get bored with the repetitive speed and lack of variation between the furious Black Metal assaults. However, on "Fortapt I Dodens Favn" listeners will see a little early Old Man's Child influence with the semi acoustic interlude sections, chanting vocals, and overall a huge shift in melodic dosage that will shatter stereotypes of those who might think that Asaru is merely kvlt. It is unfortunate that the group does not use more tracks like this throughout the album; aside from this all the rest of the tracks tend to stick to a harsh, melodic fashion that is definitely interesting, but after so long becomes a bit repetitive to hear. "Nebel" features one of the better introductions with the thundering drums and almost doomy riffs opening the track before the chaos, but doesn't quite live up to the mark that "Fortapt..." makes. Still, 'From The Chasm...' is raw and also beautiful that will certainly appeal to most Black Metal fans in genearl, whether they like Darkthrone or Deathspell Omega.
On some of the other tracks listeneres will notice how Asaru really upped their game this time. For the first four tracks listeners might get bored with the repetitive speed and lack of variation between the furious Black Metal assaults. However, on "Fortapt I Dodens Favn" listeners will see a little early Old Man's Child influence with the semi acoustic interlude sections, chanting vocals, and overall a huge shift in melodic dosage that will shatter stereotypes of those who might think that Asaru is merely kvlt. It is unfortunate that the group does not use more tracks like this throughout the album; aside from this all the rest of the tracks tend to stick to a harsh, melodic fashion that is definitely interesting, but after so long becomes a bit repetitive to hear. "Nebel" features one of the better introductions with the thundering drums and almost doomy riffs opening the track before the chaos, but doesn't quite live up to the mark that "Fortapt..." makes. Still, 'From The Chasm...' is raw and also beautiful that will certainly appeal to most Black Metal fans in genearl, whether they like Darkthrone or Deathspell Omega.
- The Eyes Of The Dead
- At Night They Fly
- Under The Flag
- Blind Obedience
- Fortapt I Dodens Favn
- Nebel
- Beyond The Bonds Of Time
- Invoking The Serpent Of Death
- World On Fire
Label: http://www.schwarzdorn.de
Reviewer: Colin McNamara
Jul 24, 2012
Jul 24, 2012
Next review:
Acid Death - Eidolon
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