Review: “Storm Over a Black Sea” by Ysgaroth

Originally starting life as a Black Metal studio project from multi instrumentalist Kurt Steigler that wasn’t meant to be taken too seriously, Ysgaroth evolved over time as so many do, with the desire to perform the bands creations live. Steigler (guitar/vocals) was joined by Steve Cuddington (drums) and Shawn Hillman (bass) and with them the Progressive Extreme Metal band conjured in Vancouver, Canada began to take influences from other genres, including Sludge and Death Metal. Ultimately with Steigler the main song writer, his influence is heard on all of the songs, although nothing his rhythm section brings should be taken for granted.

Six songs cut a 50 minute run time which gives you an idea of what you might be in for when it comes to “Storm Over a Black Sea“, longer songs being the watch words of the Progressive genre as a whole before we even begin to talk about everything else going on during the album. Instrumental “Rain” has the Nordic folk Black Metal roots, very much the calm before the storm before the onslaught of “Nam Gloria Satanas” severs arteries, biting tooth and nail with vicious intent. Jessie Grace of KOSM lends this throat to the cut which genre shifts over seven furious minutes; the vocals being vicious and cutting like nails on a chalk board, while the music bounces between Black Metal, through a Black Sabbath inspired Doom Metal passage with 1970’s synths that breaks back into a blistering Death Metal onslaught that will leave head bangers struggling for breath. “Sacred” continues the all out speed attack of punishing drum patters that throw down Hardcore patterns in with both Death and Black Metal styles and showcase Cuddington’s ability to be versatile and think outside of the box in an impressive percussive performance. Sweeping, searing leads and a relentless drive push the song forward with a fierce intensity that is unrivalled, although comparisons to Skeletonwitch are perhaps as close as it can get. “Altar of Scars” takes the two previous songs and enhances the Death Metal elements, bringing that classic rumble, while Steigler shows greater vocal range with multiple voices laid bare, including once which echoes a shriller version of the dry rasp that we’ve heard from Steve “Zetro” Souza of Exodus, his Death Metal roar being of much more guttural orientation. The blood and thunder final moments are a Death Metal breakdown in Black Metal guitar tones which takes a hammer to any approaching skull.

An obvious single “Forward Unto Death” was perhaps chosen because its one of the shortest cuts on the record at just over 5 minutes. It sees the return of Jessie Grace of KOSM to the microphone and is a track stripped down to its bare essentials of brutal and simplistic riffs, oppressing Black Metal atmospheres and haunting eerie harmonies. Lyrically this one is an anthem for people like Sea Shepard as it lingers on thoughts of the activities of Humanity which are not only destroying what Mother nature provides but also in turn is destroying humanity itself. Its an insightful offering that makes you think long after the headbanging is over. The solo is inspired by Morbid Angel guitarist Trey Azagthoth with Melodic Death Metal influences from the 90’s throughout that have that nostalgic quality that make you crack a knowing smile while listening as you check off the likes of Deicide and Cannibal Corpse from your list. The first solo of “Deluge” is delivered by Erik Leonhard of KOSM during a magnum opus of a song that crosses the seventeen minute sound barrier with a comfortable ease. Unexpected melodic harmonies are accompanied by grating vocals of the harshest on the album as a whole; Steigler sounds like his voice could give out at any point before a step up into a fiery blend of Black Metal rhythms with Death Metal leads sweeps everything aside like the loser of a game of chess ripping the board from the table and throwing all the pieces into to the sky with furious intent. That rise and fall pattern between the two styles keeps you on your toes, never quite sure when it’s going to switch personality and when it does it has the grace and speed of an assassin. How on Earth Ysgaroth follow this up is beyond us… [8/10]

Track Listing:

1. Rain
2. Nam Gloria Satanas (feat. Jessie Grace of KOSM)
3. Sacred
4. Altar of Scars
5. Forward Unto Death (feat. Jessie Grace of KOSM)
6. Deluge (feat. Erik Leonhard of KOSM)

“Storm Over a Black Sea” by Ysgaroth is out 13th November