Arckanum 'Kostogher'
Necropolis , 1997
Lord Pale :
Arckanum is the work of solo artist Shamaatae. Kostogher is primitive, raw, almost tribal blackmetal with harsh rasping vocals and a fuzzy production. Like Darkthrone, it is the drumming that sets Arckanum apart from the rest of the field, utilising pounding kick drums rather than excessive blasts. The album starts with sounds of a sword fight and the ominous hooting of an owl, with low vocals growling underneath. The songs soon blasts into pagan rifferama heralding the start proper of a truely unique song with viola passages and mid pitched chanting that is distinctive when compared to the overflux of deep viking choirs other bands use. Throughout the course of the album, the viola's and clean vocals make sporodic appearences, but the main theme is raw forrestal blackmetal. With lyrics in archaic Swedish even fans in Arckanum's home country are going to have trouble translating the songs, so I have no chance, but it all adds to the cult feel of the album. My only gripe with this disc is it's extremely low production (I have to crank my stereo up to soaring heights to get this to a listenable level) , but gripes aside this is a unique and truely atmospheric experience. Kostogher is best suited for fans of extreme blackmetal looking for something outside of the traditional realms.
Favourite Tracks - Skohens Minnen Voekks, Peor Sum Fran Grifter Banger, Oper Trullhoyaghda
Mark - 7.5/10 |
