Review: “Of Lineages Long Forgotten” by Katharos

Back in 2017 Swedish Symphonic Black Metal quartet Katharos presented their debut album “Exuvian Heraldry” which found the band influenced and inspired by the unholy trinity of Emperor, Dimmu Borgir and Death. A Goliath of a debut album, it’s complexities and nuances rewarding with each repeated listen with a dark majesty that heightens the senses and raises the hairs on the back of your neck and in doing so, Richard Annerhall (guitars, vocals), Max Müssbichler (guitar, bass), Christofer Sköld (keyboards) and Tatu Kerttula (drums) set themselves a mountain to climb for their sophomore album “Of Lineages Long Forgotten“. Joined by Robin “Rob the slob” Westlund from Repuked  who provided backing vocals they entered the legendary Necromorbus Studio (Mayhem, Watain) in Stockholm to record with Simon Wizén and Tore Stjerna engineering before Stjerna then mixed and mastered…

Continuing the narrative of lyrical themes that bridging philosophy and religion from the first album, Katharos have retained the essence of what made “Exuvian Heraldry” such an incredible composition and build on those foundations of gold and bones for “Of Lineages Long Forgotten“, wisely believing in the tried and trusted. What has changed, as you might expect, is that the band have become better musicians in the space of those five years between records and as a result, the album sounds tighter and more accessible immediately accessible than it’s predecessor. It has a more natural ebb and flow with slicker transitions between sections that move theatrically from epic majestic cinematic synths to glorious bursts of blast beats, the title being the perfect example, although in fairness that same fluidity is found throughout. Cuts like “The World Serpent’s Marrow” prove the bands growth with improved craftsmanship and dare we say it, maturity as they build the mountains with intriguing new structures and patterns. The riffs of “Lay Yersinian Siege” are mesmerising as they unfold, the more subtle use of orchestration in favour of the power of the thunderous percussive battery and guitar work making it essential listening. On this one in particular, the Symphonics are more of an embellishment rather than over powering the other instruments. Part of the beauty of the album is that everything is in its rightful place thanks to the skills of Stjerna, who has delivered a crisp and clean mix, which in turn helps to highlight the nuances which the band have within each of these Symphonic Black Metal hellscapes. Then add the bands use of Melodic Death Metal tinged stylings in the guitar work that ultimately give them a more rounded sound as well as some Speed Metal reverberations in the leads of “Feigned Retreat” and “I Waged War” and you have intrigue in diversity as the band get a little adventurous without losing any sense of their style. “Of Lineages Long Forgotten” is a tour de force of Modern Symphonic Black Metal and we can only hope that it doesn’t take another five years for their next burnt offering  [8/10]

Track listing

1. Those Hornclad
2. Feigned Retreat
3. Of Lineages Long Forgotten
4. The World Serpent’s Marrow
5. Lay Yersinian Siege
6. I Waged War
7. Most Dread Portent

“Of Lineages Long Forgotten” by Katharos is out 13th May 2022 via Willowtip Records and is available for pre-order over at bandcamp.