Setherial 

Ekpyrosis

Regain Records 2010

Longtime champions of Swedish black metal have returned with their sixth full length album of high-speed darkness.  Right from the outset Ekpyrosis declares it will be an album of intensity and anger.  A World In Hell smashes out of the gate with blasting drums and rapid riffs.  The track mutates upon itself by utilizing sharp melodies and calmer passages that allow the listener to digest the stream of fast-moving hatred rushing upon them.  Treading similar areas of speed as Marduk, but with an overall different effect, Setherial manages to capture atmosphere within their melodic arrangements such as on The Mournful Sunset of The Forsaken.  The song alternates quick strikes of speed with slower, more emotional segments.  The song reaches freezing temperatures as the speed of the riffing and drums achieves maximum velocity.  A martial beat ushers in the rhythmic undulations of The Devouring Eye.  Piercing synths and triumphant horns sweep in like avenging angels as the song develops.  A demonic stomp forms the opening of Subsequent Emissions From A Frozen Galaxy.  Its razor-sharp, but tempered guitars slowly nod back and forth delivering a truly Swedish feel to the subdued melodic texture of the song.  My favorite song though is Celestial Remains Of The Cosmic Creation.  Its melodies are the most memorable and Setherial do their best job of skillfully intertwining the bursts of hostile speed and slower, more contemplative sections.  Staying true to a tried and tested formula, Setherial have spewed forth an album of aggressive black metal, filled with cold riffs and dark hatred.  Ekpyrosis is filled with the music to match the band's ideological extremity!