Embedded Files
TARASK “Sitra Ahra”
TARASK “Sitra Ahra”
By Dr. Abner Mality
Antiq Records out of France has become one of the better and more distinct black metal labels from Europe, specializing mostly in French acts. TARASK is the latest and they tell quite an epic tale of horror on their second album “Sitra Ahra”.
This is atmospheric black metal that doesn’t succumb to shoegaze or folky excess like so many bands do. It’s not doing anything radically different, but they take their craft seriously. The music is always black and always metal, although there are certainly some subdued moments. From what I can tell, TARASK is one guy, but never does the album sound like the product of such.
The story here is apparently a followup to the previous album “Pharus Morti”, where the main character was driven insane by the decadent evil of a mysterious Innsmouth-like town. “Sitra Ahra” deals with the aftereffects, as this luckless fellow sinks further into the occult in an attempt to regain his lost sanity. Thus we have 6 relatively lengthy tracks all labeled as “evocations”, each telling a different phase of the journey.
The music is often fast and freezing but with slower breaks and even some ambient bits. Fortunately, the songs are long but not TOO long, with “Evocation VI” being the only one to exceed 8 minutes. So we don’t get the dreary, drawn out “depressive” bits that drag down so many “atmospheric” black metal albums. They are just long enough to convey mood. As for vocals, TARASK sounds genuinely tormented without overdoing it.
While not an album that will blow doors off, “Sitra Ahra” should satisfy most glum ghouls looking for real black metal. Another good release from Antiq.
Report abuse