Barshasketh – Antinomian Asceticism

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When I reviewed the fourth self-titled album by the Scottish based black metal act Barshasketh I knew they would progress beyond the boundaries. Their newest record “Antinomian Asceticism” proves they can perfectly craft a grandiose sense of mystical black metal that is purely inspired by the 90s cult bands. Unsurprisingly, Barshasketh has developed fast from its predecessor by achieving great results; the songwriting burrows hellish elements of classic black metal.

The scathing ferocity of the blasting drums and malevolent howls in the opening track “Radiant Aperture” bewitches the listener into a mystical atmosphere with trademark riffs. The music flows flawlessly, and the subtle rhythm recalls bands like Emperor; Barshasketh has truly found its sound. The drumming presents visceral beats with its firm aggression displaying a dominant presence, and the vocals are as potent as the guitars and drums.

Songwriter and guitarist GM seems to be developing his skills, and founding member KG handles the vocals, guitars, and keyboards to present complex songs. The bass guitar of BB and drummer MK define the songs like “Nitimur in Vetitum” which delivers a monstrous performance from the band aside from the searing riffs there is another dark side in which the instrumental soundscapes unfold at the end of the track.

Wickedly dominant, the remaining songs offer a diverse palette of melodies and the balance of the pacing unveils a dark and orthodox black metal there is no denying that Barshasketh has emphasized its unique atmospheric soundscapes.

The song “Lebenswelt Below” is swathed in slow and atmospheric moments; the pacing of the drums and the guitars are calculated, while the howling and shrieking vocals suddenly arrest your attention. The piercing guitar work and rolling drum beats deliver tight intensity followed by the malevolent invocations, the slower moments are rife with melodies that add a cold atmosphere.

These moments are brought into display in “Charnel Quietism”. The guitars emphasize these elements coherently, and as the drums pummel the listener, the music embodies unique and unforgettable moments from the piercing tremolos without lacking the outstanding hooks. The vehemence of the drums works in conjecture to the slower parts and this mix is rather diverse, the opening of “Phaneron Engulf” features some ambient keyboards only to enrich the atmosphere. In each song, the guitars and the drums maintain the tempo changes while still allowing to create depth.

Barshasketh crafts a fine album that is full of detailed sections, undoubtedly this is the band’s memorable offering and brings plenty of ambiance that has made them sound darker and atmospheric hence, keeping the listener immersed with their ominous melodies and sudden transitions between the slow paces and the ferocious blast beats.

The creeping guitar lines bring something fascinating to the album’s title track “Antinomian Asceticism” setting an otherworldly sensation, the operatic vocals convey otherworldly quality and then the guitars with their Watain and Emperor vibes show obvious influences of these two bands.

The dark atmosphere is present throughout the seven songs, notably Barshasketh focuses on creating a malign mood and complex guitar instrumentation shows the uniqueness of the composition. The guitars are lavish and have an ominous tone reinforced by chants and hellish shrieking, it is no surprise that the newest album is unsettling in its ferociousness and melding of the instrumental sections.

In the final song “Exultation of Ceaseless Defiance” the drums transition between the scathing drum beats where the ferocity binds the listener to keep him at the edge. The fast-paced sections highlight the songwriting prowess of the band as every blazing riff elevates the song to its climax, it also presents the quintessence of the band in its prime form.

REVIEW SCORE

  • Music / Songwriting 8/10
  • Vocals / Lyrics 9/10
  • Mix / Production 8/10
  • Artwork & Packaging 9/10
  • Originality 8/10
8.4

“Antinomian Asceticism” is expertly crafted by Scotland’s rising black metal outfit Barshasketh, this is a great triumphant for the band who has returned after six years of silence.

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