Ekstrophë LP (Terratur Possessions)

On the announment of their last batch of releases, Norwegian label Terratur Possessions presented a project that inmediately caught my attention. A sort of collaboration between several entities of the Black Metal scene that released previous works through the leading labels of the Orthodox side of the genre, and that their label presents as “the soundscape of disembodiment through their perspective”. 'Ekstrophë', the Greek work entitling this musical collaboration, means to draw out or extract the inner nature, and I think it's a good way to present this sort of compilation, as it gives a very representative and clear idea of all the included parties. but at the same time, especially for some of them, it gives a purer or less adorned vision of their music. 

After an organ intro, Finnish Devouring Star open this record with an amazing track, entitled "Mors Invicta", a lot heavier and less complex that what we could hear on their debut with a certain Death Metal flavor. Great pounding riffs, with a very low tunning, possessed deep vocals and a crushing drum work with mid tempos that could remind of some (cleaner/more modern version of) Ride for Revenge patterns mixed with fast blastbeats. All in all, I could think of the slowest Aosoth (with a less complex/dissonant touch) or Iceland's Zhrine, while the Deathspell Omega influence (that was so blatant on their debut) becomes less obvious. And yet, they still have their own vision and they create an absolutely haunting atmosphere, which is helped by a titanic production that hits you to the floor from start to finnish. Great way to open the record, probably my favorite contribution to this collaboration. And I can't wait to hear their new album.

Flagellant are a Swedish trio who has already released two albums through World Terror Committee. I actually remember reviewing one of them years ago, I don't remember which one however, but my memories on their music were still correct. These guys take the orthodox influenced path step by step, without any diversion. Their track, "Great Illuminating VOID Awareness", is heavily inspired by the teachings of Dissection, Mayhem and early Watain, with good dissonant and evil melodies over mid-paced catchy riffs and, despite contributing with absolutely no new ideas to the genre, they deliver some strong and very enjoyable sinister melodies and possessing riffs. And also a very remarkable composition in terms of the song progression. Strong song, buy maybe the less original contribution on this record. 

Closing the A side of the vinyl we have Arfsynd, the personal project of Mr. Perditor from Orcivus. This band's first album (released on Daemon Worship Productions in 2010) didn't catch my attention sufficiently to get the second one three years later. Their track, "Flesh of God", also has a very Swedish melodic Black Metal vibe, with a slightly darker and rawer approach that can easily make you think of first Marduk or Nefandus. I especially like the despair and disgust their music and, especially, the vocals of Perditor emit. Also the fact that their pace, despite moving on the fast side of things, does not become too much blasting and flows more naturally. And when they reach the slowest part of the song then it becomes even more devilish. There isn't much more past that, Their limits are quite enclosed, and I don't think they pretend to go over them. But it's pretty good for a single track like this one, and it definitely made me think about revisiting their old stuff or at least expect more if they decide to release new recordings.

Switching the side of the LP, I find Dutches Ibex Angel Order (previously named Funeral Goat), a new band for me, who also (in the case of both incarnations) released one record under Daemon Worship Productions. Both members of the bands are also involved in Abysmal Darkening, who I actually like quite a lot. Anyways, focusing on their track, named "Abraxas Rises to be Crowned", what these guys deliver here is fast Nordic Black Metal of the second wave with a good balance of rawness and intensity. Think about a mix of Mayhem and early Immortal, with some of Darkthrone's ideas, and you will nail it. The most remarkable would definitely be the excellent job of their drummer, who doesn't stop blasting all the way through the song, and the vocals, which sound especially possessed.  

Next in line are the almighty Dødsengel, a band that has had a big impact in the Black Metal scene of the last years, which still surprises me due to how experimental and personal their approach is (and by that I do not mean at all they don't deserve it, quite the opposite actually), as well as how they adapt it to every situation. In this case, they start with a very cold and Industrial-like monotonous part which then mutates into an entity dominated by dissonance over mid tempo drums combined with melodic fast parts. That is the field over which they choose to develop "Arcane Slumber", a song that has a lot straighter and rawer approach than their last record. The inclusion of a layer of vocal choruses gives it an slightly ritualistic dose, but it still sounds cruder and more morbid than I would have expected, and I really appreciated the surprise.

Chalice of Blood, another new name for me, hailing from Sweden and who have only released a demo, three split EP's and an EP so far, migh probably be the most surprising of the bands I discovered on 'Ekstrophë'. They do not surprise too much with their, again, highly Swedish Black Metal influenced dose of musical devil worship. But they did manage to possess me during the seven minutes of fast melodic rawness and profound reverb loaded vocals. Imagine a mix of first era Marduk, Dissection and Watain, and you can make no wrong assumptions. 

The Ambient/noisy soundscapes that can be found in between the songs were created by Black Majesty & The Temple Of The Erythran Current, and they help giving the whole a great additional dose of cohesion, despite the different approaches and sounds that can be found on the record.

​On the visual side, I can only say everything looks absolutely top-notch. From the cover to the layout, and especially the fact that they included a different drawing to accompany each of the songs lyrics (all managed between Cold Poison, Ubertragic Art and . The whole presentation accompanies the musical side exceptionally well, and gives an extra reason to get this beautiful piece of art.

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