In order to bleaken their sound, Fiasko have done away with samples and electronics and stuck to the basics of experimental sludge, black and post metal. It sounds kind of Polish and it is.
Starting like a battle march, “Golem” develops in an interesting and brutal way. Grey and menacing, it attacks from all angles, whether it’s the violent, anarchic tones or the frantic growls, which themselves are interrupted at one point by a chilling chorus. It’s cold and riddled with a machine gun fire which bursts out in all directions. “Golem” is nasty and imaginative. The title track which follows withers on the vine until the vine is dead. Again it follows a mechanical militaristic pattern, which undoubtedly gives it power and depth. But all around are the sounds of chaos. “Uzurpator” is bleaker still, its deadened riff sounding funereal without losing the effect of a constant hammer blow. The slow burn nature and dirty menacing rasps remind me of the Estonian band Loits. This four track mini album closes with “Letarg”, an eight minute epic. The vocals have a raw theatrical quality, but once again we’re left hanging from a dead rope by the overwhelming heavy riff. “Letarg” meanders down darkened alleys and takes us through the bright lights of terror, slowing down and presenting an atmosphere of foreboding. The ending is fittingly dramatic.
My advice is watch out for this band for two reasons. First they will come and relentlessly track you down and haunt. Second this 25 minute offering has all the evil, atmosphere, darkness and imagination you could want.
(9/10 Andrew Doherty)
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