Raging Fullmoon

Xergath: here we have a beginning taste of another modern black metal band that seems to be following the Xasthurian path of the molecular minimalistic approach to dispiritedness; who wants to create an ambiance of deterioration and anomalousness for those who let its bewailing matter suffocate it's listeners into a great saturninity. Malefic's wall of disgusting and ominous noise has influenced yet another man's reality, that goes by the name of Karkh, who hails all the way across the tip of Eastern Europe. Karkh's portraits of blighted tribulations and corrosive speeches find it's listeners to be trapped into an incarceration of immediate pessimism - for here we have "Raging Fullmoon": an insufferable exclusive that contains traces of the grittiness inside every lo-fi structure to the leading edge of rusty razors and unfriendly spells. Might this be what "Telepathic With The Deceased" may have missed the boat on?

Karkh's first release opens up with a bizarre intro that discharges a haunting feeling of what may seem to come from a distant hall of ritualistic blasphemies, and soon the festive self-titled track breaks through to absorb every joyful emotion. If correspondingly noticed, the vocals are very much similar to Malefic's open throat bellowing, but Karkh's is more garbled and not as cleanly dragged on with colossal amounts of reverb. As expected and typical of solo black metal artists, there is evidence that Karkh uses drum programming. 'Raging Fullmoon' seems to have the most memorable drum kicks and snare beats out of all of the songs, yet it almost seems to unfold an uncontrollable mania accompanied with no fast lead riffs, ala trash metal. Every bit is varied from being hasty to slow paced, yet it isn't too spacey with sound-effects, as there are very few hidden notes that are struck and go slightly unidentified.

The next song, 'Revelation Of Hate', being the longest song, starts off as a down-tuned disease that repeats itself for nearly nine minutes. I'd say that not only is this the most monotonous track, but it serves as a decent interlude from the other fast paced songs to come. At 4:07 an untaxing female chorale becomes present, something that reminds me of Bathory's 'Blood Fire Death', but soon it escapes and returns at 6:55; then onward to repeat with the same flat guitar tones and gaps. Karkh's vocals are slightly used off and on in this anthem, yet this is good rationale to get used to the humming hazy tones.
Thereafter, 'Ascend From Depths Of Your Tomb' arrives with muffled bombastic war drums and cannonading cymbal splashes for about a minute. This track is very much reminiscent to 'Raging Fullmoon', as you may notice the spasmodic massed drum kicks that take place throughout, but the beats that take place just under 3:48 are the most notable that stick in your head the most. Along the mentioned description, an unfurled riff that seemingly never ends makes itself known, but is abruptly cut off.

The last two songs are the most raw and slow paced out of all six, as the diverse drum portions are a bit more drowned out, which might have come from previous demo tapes. Aside from the introduction, 'Ride The Deathspell' is the shortest of all songs. It mounts as an unrelenting manipulative piece of protracted agony, and thereon it turns into something more concordantly torrid to the ear. Not only does this track stick out like a sore thumb, but at 2:13 this immediately reminded me of 'Cruelty Juggernaut' with less of an industrial influence and multiple breaks.
Once hymn five is over 'Endzeit' commences with short-lived acoustics, which is always a treat.. even if it is black metal. The very limited vocal works and mid-paced rhythms that somehow manage to be pulled off with no bass have become accustomed, and ready for multiple repeats. Not much to explain here, but this is what makes this monster of an album cement your shallow grave. When the leisurely extinction finally accesses and ceases, know that there is yet more to come from this puzzling beast.

Everything in this release gives off a sound of corrosion and inner-decay. Reasons for bringing up "T.W.T.D." is that the listener gets to decide whether they like or dislike their atmospheric black metal long or short, but both cases are magisterial assets to this new age, and "Raging Fullmoon" makes 35 minutes seem like 50. On a side note, it would be amazing if these two artists did a split. Anyway, you may feel anxious or perhaps desperate to add this novelty to your collection of black metal gems, but there seems to be no way, yet so far, for anyone to legitimately buy any jewel-cased version that comes from Karkh. Instead of the online purchases from many MP3 sites, this is recommended if found properly. 'Till then, revel in the vehemence that is Xergath. This is simply contagious........

Highlights: Raging Fullmoon, Ascend From Depths Of Your Tomb, Endzeit