There is something sublime about Katavasia’s sophomore album, a majesty that flows out from the nine tracks that is probably down to the experience within the ranks of its members that has come from Varathron, Hail Spirit Noir, Aenaon to name a few that this Greek band hails from. Indeed the class that this album exhibits is opulent, glistening with shimmering instrumentation the moment ‘Daughters Of Darkness’ initiates with its atmospheric riffing right before the detonating blast sequence. The throaty vocals add their own snarling aggression to the assaulting opening track as the song is riddled with tempo dynamics. It is those tempo subtleties that underpin how this album listens as the guitar work is typical of how Greek bands ingrain melody into their song writing, hooking into the listener with fine melodies that embed into the mind with finesse and memorability.
‘The Tyrant’ follows with spoken voices that act like a sermon before a cool catchy riff breaks through with choral vocal backing that hints at Behemoth like theatrics before the song switches guise to a very neat black rock Satyricon feel where the pace nestles into a steady beat. Equally excellent is ‘Blood Be By Crown’ with its awesome riff and much faster pace that I especially liked with its dramatic poise. The song has depth and purposeful power as the song has a far more Rotting Christ like fervour here but it is the bands adept ability to switch out the riffing that really catches the ear as the track completely changes for a very cool riff that will really hook you in.
‘Chthonic Oracle’ is pure Rotting Christ to my ears, massively grandiose with choral vocals the song bursts in with dramatic posturing and half blasted ferocity the song hurtles along with gusto and savage vocals before unveiling a cleaner vocal that filters in. I absolutely adored ‘Hordes Of Oblivion’ which harnesses a more demonic vocal tonal style loaded with double kick on the opening strains. The song has a hint of early Moonspell about it with an eeriness scurrying about but it’s the melody I was really charmed with. The songs overall atmosphere is staggering as the dynamics go through calming sequences into bursting hostility, leaving the album to conclude with ‘Babylon (Sammu-Rawat)’.
The closer continues the atmospheric styling with melodic phrasing and dramatic riffing as the song has a more spoken like vocal style. As the song evolves you feel it escalating in tension as more choral vocals are added to the mix before a blasted section is inserted which contrasts nicely creating a chaotic texture to the song. The acoustic phase is sombre, tuneful with whispered vocals before the song reasserts itself with a fine riff and bass hook towards the finale.
Sumptuous and luxurious yet imbibed with a sense of violent dignity ‘Magnus Venator’ is absolutely stunning.
(9/10 Martin Harris)
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