Throne of Katarsis - Unholy Holocaustwinds

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 March 21 2008 at 01:52:44 AM

Recorded in 2004, mastered in 2006 and repackaged by the excellent Paradigms label, Throne of Katarsis works further to blur the line between Folk and Black Metal by moving effortlessly from electric to classical acoustic guitar, resubmitting the same riffs in interesting and provocative ways. Bands like Sigrblot, Sapthruan and relative newcomer L’Acephale have worked in a similar fashion, laying Black Metal bare as some type of new folk music. Grimnisse’s guitar is frenzied and potent, with Vardalv’s hearty percussion stomping down the harmonic lines much in the way Fenriz transformed Darkthrone’s early Death Metal riffs into Black Metal simply by trouncing the breath out of them. Grimnisse is a spectacular player, balancing merciless repetitiveness with shimmering harmony, segueing into forlorn acoustic passages that recall both Spaghetti Western and harsh medievalism. Final track “Skogen’s Kall” is equally comprised of field recording, keys and vocal recitation. The sounds of a trek through the Liarland Forest—birds calling, feet kicking up leaves and earth—are softened with eerie ambience; Grimnisse’s recitation is part Tuvan throat trawl, part maniacal despondency. The effect is predictably morose, slowly unnerving—a fitting conclusion to a rich and rewarding recording.

[Stewart Voegtlin]

Throne of Katarsis
Unholy Holocaustwinds

2006

Paradigms
http://www.paradigms-recordings.com