REVIEW: BARATHRUM - SAATANA

 

BARATHRUM - SAATANA (Spinefarm Recs., 1999)

Produced by Barathrum

Recorded at Tico Tico Studios

Artwork by Tom Harkonnen

Tracks: 1- Introitus, 2- Satanick alert, 3- Dark Sorceress 2; 4- Boundless Arts; 5- Beltane; 4-Helluva Agitator, 5- Melancholy, Infinity, Agony; 6- Regent of Damnation; 7- Countess Erzebeth nadasdy; 8- Sacrilegium; 9- Saatana; 10- Dark Sorceress (Autumn Siege); 11- Necromantical Ritual; 12- Salubele

Is Barathrum a black metal band? Of course ! But they have many elements that make them different from many of the bands of the same style that are nowadays in the underground. First of all their songs have many hooks (yes, I think that this is one of the main points of their music....check the choruses and bridges of their songs to see what I am talking about). The guitar riffs have many elements that they use very effectively instead of simple speed and aggression. The vocals are clearly black metal and they are clearly screamed adding a lot of atmosphere to the tracks. Many of the tracks here are mid tempos (check "Dark Sorceress 2" as an example). If you thought that black metal was running out of originality, check Barathrum´s music and realize that you have been mistaken!

Favorite tracks: "Statnick Alert", "Melancholy, Infinity, Agony" and "Regent of Damnation".

Contact: www.spinefarm.fi