Since first recording a demo release in 1988, Sathanas (from the US) have been crafting their evil blackened death metal for many to enjoy and what an impact this release has from start to finish! You may be sitting comfortably, but when some of these tunes and riffs start flowing, the fear of solitude and isolation rears its head, such is the level of atmosphere that’s created, especially to the start of ‘Written in Blood’. The quality of the recording is something very much a positive too. I have found that US bands simply exhume more detail and more professionalism than perhaps some of our European cousins of a similar sub-genre, I am not saying what’s the better and what is not, far from it, but this sounds evil enough but is recorded well enough to fully enjoy the expansive nature of the song arrangements with many open stringed chords reminiscent of the Scandinavian scene and with a groove (especially on Upon the Age of Darkness’) that teases you with marginal Viking metal references.
The tempo of the album also aids the listening ability of the songs. With many at mid paced flow, the sense of catching every instrument before it’s too late, does not figure here. When the tempo is increased on tracks like that of ‘Marked of the Beast’ and ‘Blessings of Doom’, the death metal companion comes out with a vengeance, but still with a sinister blackened approach. ‘Oath of Witchery’ sounds evil, especially the vocal rasp, the open chords lead into blackness, the arrangement tantalises you as its far from standard, there’s a good few ideas floating around like the whole release and when that pounding rhythm appears, you will be heads down in appreciation too.
For me this is a refreshing change from the normal material I choose to review, for the purist of the genre it’s still a damn fine release and comparable to the bands earlier releases. Although I would say on this one it’s a touch darker and the arrangements are certainly more expansive than they ever were during their past atrocities.
(8/10 Paul Maddison)
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