ALBUM REVIEW: Sarkrista – Sworn To Profound Heresy

German Black Metal cult SARKRISTA are back with their 3rd full length album, set for release via Purity Through Fire and Worship Tapes on March 21st.

Ancient sounding ambience and chants begin the record with a ritualistic and haunting sombreness. Brazen guitar riffs atop a rampage of blastbeats suddenly bursts into life with an icy slew of howling vocals, immediately one can see notable influence from the Finnish Black Metal sound with the scathing aggression of somewhat melancholic and melodic extremity being so piercing and emotive. Ablaze with ferocity and marvellously chilling musicianship, the beginning of this record seems to be a very strong return from Sarkrista who clearly hold the second wave sound in the highest regard with little need to detract from the ways they have consistently propagated. Reverberate vocals drench the mystical riffs and cymbal cascades to conjure a visceral yet atmospherically stunning experience that is easy to become enchanted by. The darkened blade is sharp and deals blows with precision from the onset, let us hope that Sarkrista maintain this diabolical excellence throughout.

Continuing in the savage path of destructive Black Metal, the raw of the music is not dulled by a huge amount of melody and compositional ability. Rather, the onslaught becomes all the more intoxicating due to the brilliance shown by the whole band whom deliver a very simplistically old school approach to Black Metal without feeling like yet another derivative piece of 90s worship. Things such as brief changes from blastbeats to more rocky drum patterns, bitterly melancholic riffs progress into a storm of vitriol and even the maniacally screeched vocals all seem to carry enough nuance and intricacy to really hold my interest. While I think all of us Black Metal maniacs will be easily won over by some Finnish-style malevolence, it takes far more skill to develop more sounds into the mix, taking more inspiration from the bands native German scene for example, there are some potentially folk-tinged melodies masked by layers of distortions and violence. Characteristically Germany and Finland share a few traits with Black Metal, however the two are distinguishable, often the Germans veer more to aggressions while the Finns opt for melancholy. Here however, we see the two blended in glorious harmony to concoct a ravenous, icy, fierce and yet sombre array of sounds. Truly impeccable.

While the dominant mood is triumphant, barbaric and vicious, an emotional insight lies within the cold riffs and pounding drums, yet most of all the vocals deliver an anguishing performance. Not only does this accentuate the unrelenting hatred in their sound with contrast but also displays an irrefutable passion in their deliverance of occultist rites with palpable sincerity. The robust and unwavering display of crushing Black Metal is of course the most important factor here, but the genuine dedication to their craft and ability to create memorable pieces of music all further the experience of demonic artillery being launched via the means of haunting and resplendent Black Metal. Devilish and masterful conjurations of blackened mysticism seem to come effortlessly to Sarkrista as each piece is a worthwhile addition to the album, an impressive feat with 49 minutes to fill of searing devastation, one that Sarkrista absolutely triumph over. I am sure this could have been made more concise should the band have seen fit, but there is no feeling of wasted time or the album dragging on so their convictions have held strong. Listen for yourself when this wonderful record is released.

Heed this call, the profane call of Sarkrista returns with a 3rd triumphant tome of ritual extremity that deserves the attention of any serious Black Metal fanatic. A haunting deliverance of frosty, melancholic but most of all ferocious intensity that is immersive and truly an experience to behold.