Sarcator – Alkahest
8/10
I find it quite calming when an album starts with a mind-blowing blast beat and growl. First thought; go on, Lads! Talk about setting the bar. But a bit into the song “Ascend” all I can think about is that this sounds like the chaos that I associate with System of a Down more than Blackened Thrash metal that Sarcator gets referred to quite often.
In my opinion Sarcator play heavy metal with mix of most sub genres in heavy metal. I would not like to put a label on the music more then that I like the album.
The songs have everything from dance friendly choruses like in “Perdition´s Hand” to the more sinister sounding “Dreameater” & “Grave Maggot Future”.
The references heard during the times I have listened to this album goes criss cross between bands, and in some cases even in the same songs.
Sure, the smell of Tribulation lies close to the nose, but there is so much more there. Some passages you think Blind Guardian, other you think Watain, and you have the odd classic Black Sabbath here and there as well. I mean, where can you not find Black Sabbath in heavy Metal. I feel, if you don´t, you haven´t looked hard enough.
But what distinguishes Sarcator from many, many other bands are that they can actually hold their own and navigate between all these references without it being either boring, stolen, or messy.
There seems to be a clear idea about what they want to do with every song, every riff, every bridge and so on. You don´t ever relax really listening to this album. There is no time. And the little rascals confused me into thinking my settings were on repeat. The ending of “The Long Lost” and the beginning of “He Who Comes From the Dark” almost sounds the same, but isn´t. Not even close. But you really have to concentrate to notice that.
For being a second release from a relatively young band it promises great development if continued on the same path for future releases. They do not seem to care about any rules on how to do songs the “correct” way. There are not coherent rules in this at all. And that to me makes it both interesting and appealing and show great craftmanship regarding gut feeling on how to build your songs and keep them yours.
Band: Sarcator
Title: Alkahest
Label: Black Lion Records
Date of release: 2022-11-04
Rate: 8/10
Stand Out Track: Perdition´s Hand
Country of Origin: Sweden
Playing Time: 58:35
