Mastermind Obsidian Claw opens the gates for a new glorious era for the band and right from the get-go with the opening track “Katharsis” swings a punch into your face with the aggressively fast blast beats and tons of irresistible tremolo rhythms and epic symphonic embellishments where the refined performance allows the song to shine. While I was completely blown away by the sheer scale of brutality, Keep of Kalessin has mastered its craft for example the guitars are amped on powerful thrashy riffs, and great velocity is achieved by the drummer Wanja “Nechtan” Gröger. The grandiosity of the symphonic patterns on the next track “Hellride” claw their way out of the intense riffing with the gigantic slabs of sonic brutality offering a calculated mixture of extreme black metal and death/thrash.

Perhaps Keep of Kalessin’s past albums like “Armada” and “Kolossus” defined the modern sound of the band and therefore “Katharsis” is rooted in the extreme tradition of black/death and symphonic metal. Fortunately, the seventh album brings spectacular displays and the organic force of the blistering drums and the cinematic choral serving bombastic and polished orchestral arrangements paired with furious blazing riffs. There is so much refinement in the songwriting aspect and the raw emotion that seems to blend various elements, like heaviness, intensity, and catchiness on the epic track “The Omni”. Keep of Kalessin would rightfully see its place as one of the remaining bands in Norway, though the new songs immediately bring out the hidden depths of Obsidian’s professionalism.

Tracks like “War of the Wyrm” focus on the melody and the catchiness of the composition with the extraordinarily symphonic settings, however, the guitars remain as firm and aggressive delivering a thundering assault as a raging Northern battle. “Katharsis” delivers a packed full of aggression that makes it the band’s best outing since the 2006 album “Armada”. The new songs determine the signature style of Keep of Kalessin that combines outstanding songwriting skills thus carving out their unique style. There are no weak tracks on the album as each song contains majestic symphonic passages and is extraordinarily consistent in the drumming department.

In fact, the tracks are bolstered by extraordinary hyper and brutal drumming as you will explore the layering of the synth arrangements and raw thrashing/black metal riffs. Given the complex touch throughout the album at times the guitars would veer towards thrash metal on tracks like “From the Stars and Beyond” until the composition unleashes a rapid fury of blast beats. The streaming tremolos contrast the furious drums and the symphonic aesthetics of 90s black metal. Obsidian’s menacing vocals are perfectly fitted to the guitars and there is not even one moment in the songs that lacks aggression. The organic pace of the crushing drums and the sweeping symphonies would remind many of Obtained Enslavement’s 1998 album “Soulblight”.

The guitar performance is expertly handled, conveying the right amount of tremolo picked-riffs, and coupled with blazing thrashy riffs, but it all gets too poignantly catchy with the ballad track “Journey’s End”. With the exclusion of black metal elements Keep of Kalessin touches sublime heights with their newest endeavor. “The Obsidian Expanse” hits with epic fierceness and despite being on the melodic scale, the use of clean vocals and the majestic symphonic scores show a refined touch of harmony reaching the peak with the scorching riffs and incessant blast beats. Despite the lengthy time run of ten minutes, the song structure has that catchy symphonic hooks with marching percussion that is perfect for an epic war soundtrack.

The song takes another turn in the fifth minute emphasizing dramatic synth when the pacing takes a relentless turn and setting up the majestic atmosphere. “Throne of Execration” showcases the hyper drumming work with the guitars’ raw cutting-edged riffs and top-notch quality vocals. The tracks exceed the seven minutes with the drums utilizing their artillery to provide brutal fills, and the blazing guitars performed at up-tempo. The exploding symphony surged powerfully with the textured lead guitars, rasping vocals, and tumultuous tremolos creating a beautiful spectacle of instruments.

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