Considered a side project of sorts for Antaeus vocalist MkM, the savage Black Metal attack of French outfit AOSOTH should be considered just as lethal if not more so than that of its predecessor. Actually with Antaeus on a bit of a hiatus these days (it's been three years since their last full length release Blood Libels) fans of the band will discover that that the raw and violent sounds of AOSOTH fills the void quite nicely, as both bands share the same, straight ahead, sinister approach with regards to their music.
I have to admit that when it comes to Black Metal I generally prefer bands that combine a dark and heavy attack with cold sounding, desolate atmospherics. That being said, it's extremely hard to deny the effectiveness of a band such as AOSOTH that is able to successfully unleash a relentless onslaught as the one displayed here on their latest offering of black magic entitled Ashes Of Angels.
From the crushing power of opening track "Songs Without Lungs" straight through to the final rite, a rendition of Antaeus' "Inner War", these guys offer the listener little respite as they slam into one BM anthem after another for the full forty five minutes. The pummeling, layered guitars are definitely pushed to the forefront, and the levels to the maximum so expect a typically massive sounding production, which as mentioned doesn't aim to deviate as much as it does pound the listener into submission at every opportunity.
If fellow Black Metal bands like Watain and Antaeus are up your alley then Ashes Of Angels should definitely be considered a worthy addition for your collection, that is of course providing you haven't already procured a copy.
Track Listing
1) Songs Without Lungs
2) Ashes Of Angels
3) Path Of Twisted Light
4) Embrace And Enlightenment
5) Teaching / Erasing
6) Summon the Dead
7) Cries Out Of Heaven
8) Communion Through Pain
9) Banished
10) Inner War
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