Wrath of the Lost

Sect and Inimical are often compared, and for good reason. Actually, I don’t know what the fuck I’m talking about, as I’ve never seen someone else mention either of these. Alright, let’s try this again. Sect and Inimical are often compared…by me. And for good reason, as the two are quite similar. At the same time, saying that they’re the same band releasing two albums is oversimplifying things. Well, alright, it’s not, but they’d at least be recognizably different albums.

Sect, like Inimical, is essentially a black metal version of Catacombs. Outwardly, the riff work is quite similar. The tremolo picked leads are still highly reminiscent of the parent band (who was, as of yet, not born), and the single note leads sound like literally sped up versions. The drums are the main compositional difference, and it really helps. They no longer perpetually blast, instead actually, you know, changing along with the guitars. This is an immeasurable help, and makes the riff work feel far more varied. They still do blast, only at more fitting times, and with the added addition of a far more natural tone. The vocals are the same reverb-treated shrieks as adorn Inimical’s album, and are performed with the same competency. Regrettably, lyrics aren’t included here.

The main difference between the two bands is the production. Inimical, like Catacombs, had immaculately clean production. Sect, on the other hand, has a far rawer sound. This makes everything sound less majestic and ethereal, and more aggressive and inhumanely cold. While I initially didn’t think this worked, I’ve quickly come around.

Sect’s biggest advantage over Inimical is variation. The drumming is a large part of this, but the composition plays a role as well. The first two tracks are very similar to Inimical’s output, but before the music has time to become mundane, the third track changes it up with an ambient funeral dirge that is chillingly effective. The final track is closer to the first two, albeit with some stunningly weird, yet incredibly effective, odd percussion.

Of the two bands, Inimical sound the most like Catacombs. Sect, on the other hand, have a fair portion of their own sound, through production and other small oddities…and as a result, have captured far more of the doom legend’s spirit than their counterparts have. Of course, you’ll never be able to find this in a format that isn’t combined with the Inimical split, so it’s not like recommending one over the other actually means anything. Highly recommended for fans of Catacombs, or just creepy and atmospheric music in general.