2 decades after declaring war and eradication of the species from their Chicagoan Kommand Bunker we are informed that this EP is considered a time for gathering thoughts and weaponry prior to the next all-out assault. This should not bother long serving compatriots too much as this five tracker is practically as scathing and embittered as previous campaigns in essence although it’s more of an exploratory affair and aligned to historical concepts of old.

That said the production strikes as a little bit looser that on last album of 2023 ‘Titan Hammer’ and the approach is not quite as multi-layered. The drummer may not have received that particular communique as he batters into opener ‘Reborn Into Violence’ and provides a rigid backbone and driving barrage throughout proceedings. Vocals are also just as haranguing at first and a coarse groove underlies the skeletal guitar weave. One gets the essence of a militaristically drilled band with all the players disciplined and determined against all odds. Forced to unleash their ‘Arsenal’ on the second song things suddenly sweep into an unexpected marching anthem buoyed by the spirit of adventure as the clean vocal parts spur the troops through the frostbitten realms of the art-work, along with booming timpani sounding drums. It’s in danger of causing an avalanche especially when the next hellacious guitar rattling drive hones in but it certainly is as promised somewhat different than encountered before. Rather than an aggressive army it gives the impression of a band of rebels and is a rather rousing declaration of insurrection. ‘Zweikampf’ refers to a duel being declared apparently and the drums do a good impression of a face being given a good old slapping by a leather glove. Someone won’t be surviving this violent showdown.

It’s a particularly cold war here as the guitar work on ‘The Standard’ is reminiscent of an 80’s UK Gothic Anarcho Punk band and flings me right back in time. It’s a potent atmospheric throwback but one kept particularly hostile due to the blackened vocal snarls and the pell-mell drumming approach. The title track remains and is cold and calculating, pretty much doom-laden compared to what has come before. Vocals are craggy and move into sombre chants and there is no denying that we are hearing diversification from the all-out brutality that we are more accustomed to. For me it works well being not a massive swerve or an about turn of genre but one mot hampered by any particular constraints or rigidity to convention either. It would be pretty cool for the band to continue down this path and be open to experimenting a bit more in the future although reading between the lines next album may well be another full on bludgeoning assault. I’m sure it will be victorious however it goes down.

(7.5/10 Pete Woods)

https://www.facebook.com/KommandantOfficial

https://atmfsssdtp.bandcamp.com/album/exhibition-of-conquest