This is the debut EP by Phalanx Inferno. The nihilistic lyrics and the fact there’s a Celtic Frost cover here give a clue as to where this US band comes from for inspiration.

The Celtic Frost cover is “Jewel Crown” from the band’s 1985 album “To Mega Therion”. There are no rules that say I have to listen to a piece of music in order, so I started my exploration with this one, which the last of the five pieces. I liked what I heard. It would have been strange if Phalanx Inferno had tried to replicate the underproduced, grainy original in the light of modern techniques, and they don’t do that. The sound is ramped up, it’s black metal dark, the thrusting thrash is there, and the now distinct growls all give this cover an edge. As I’ve said many times, a band’s ability to interpret others and produce covers is testimony to their own quality. Well, they pass my imaginary test with “Jewel Crown”. But is it the jewel in the crown?

Dark fury and chaos epitomise “Kingdom of Prayerlessness”, a dirty cavalcade of blackened death. Intense and grizzly hammerings mix with the deathly growls for “Renewed Ultra-Violence”. The atmosphere is heightened with the use of an echoing sound effect to enhance those deathly vocals. The riff is murderous. Death borders on thrash, slowing down to strike a sombre and imperious tone. Yet this all passes through me and beyond. This has menace and it has intent but the picture is limited. The vocals add to the atmosphere but the lyrics themselves don’t improve it, telling us to “fuck your freezing moon” – why? – and proclaiming bombastically “Fair it is not to compose their weak art against the power of the will of death”. “Pride…Carnality…Enlightenment” is better as it doesn’t have any lyrics, just painting a dark and desolate scene without complement. Phalanx Inferno pile on the death metal fire on “Multiple Hidden Extremes” but extreme as it is in common with the other tracks, I can’t say I stopped to think I was hearing something exceptional.

It’s quite a blast. The Celtic Frost cover proves that the band knows how to respect its roots and does a good job of it. But I heard nothing more on “The Age of Anti Aquarius” to suggest to me that there was anything new or truly mind-blowing in the ideas department.

(6.5/10 Andrew Doherty)

https://www.facebook.com/phalanxinferno

https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/the-age-of-anti-aquarius