Out of the bunch of bands with this moniker the Swedish version is probably the most recognised having been around since the early 90s where they released a handful of demos but didn’t release a full length until ‘Burial Dimensions’ in 2016, though they did release a smattering of other stuff. Since 2016 the band has had regular output culminating in this fifth album and sees the band continue down the path laid down on ‘Stellar Stream Obscured’.
Sarcasm has always bridged the gap between black metal and death metal on more recent releases and this latest offering is no different. Comparatively they are very similar to compatriots Necrophobic using aggressive riffing amidst the onslaught of blast beats and caustic vocals. Opener ‘As Northern Gates Open’ typifies the bands approach as you immediately notice just how classy the playing is on ‘Morninghoul’ alongside the arrangements and top notch mix. Blasting is a stalwart in the Sarcasm styling, adding tons of impetus to the songs as ‘Lifelike Sleep’ follows the opener in true barbaric fashion. I’d even say there are hints of Dissection ingrained in the riffing too, though not as acerbic in tone on the guitar. With a calm, more atmospheric start ‘Withered Memories Of Souls We Mourn’ continues the albums nihilistic affront, offering a more morose aura set against the slower pacing and seemingly heavier stance.
There is an epic quality to this album that is carried forwards by the interweaving guitar work and constantly morphing dynamics as the excellent ‘Dying Embers Of Solitude so amply demonstrates. The way the song plunges the listener into pulverising prowess and unbridled fury is staggeringly effective as strikingly the constantly changing tempos add to the momentum. Slower and dread filled ‘ A Lucid Dream In The Paradigm Stream’ wields a chainsaw like riff opening that is suitably corrosive but is bolstered by a clean female vocal line that really caught me out. That vocal line is hauntingly effective, adding another dimension to the bands already formidable armoury. ‘No Solace From Above’ is a colossal construction, at nearly nine minutes the track is given time to evolve and expand as the eerie piano like opening, whilst predictable to some degree, gives the song an ethos of grandiosity before channelling down a supremely dense avenue of opaque riffage that borders the doom-death genre. It is a truly evocative track, brandishing continual riff changes yet always set within the formula Sarcasm lay down as the album returns to business as usual on closer ‘Absence Of Reality’.
The closer is about bombarding the listener in true Sarcasm form, its blasting segues are intense, prolonged and wholly battering yet tinged with melody at all times. In fact the closer is possibly the most pulverising tune on the album though I’m sure some of you would argue differently, but suffice to say Sarcasm’s fifth album cements their position as pioneers and leaders of the blackened death metal genre with no doubts whatsoever.
(8.5/10 Martin Harris)
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