| REVIEWS: Za Vorbashtar Raz Shapog (Demo 1997) - Eternal Frost Webzine This is a very cool demo. I like it a lot. It seems this band takes a large influence from those gods of blasting black metal, IMMORTAL. The production is really cool, although I don't know if it's all that great. It's not disgustingly clean and it's not totally crappy. It's just perfect for this type of music. The guitars are similar to BURZUM (Filosofem) or Immortal. The drums are more along the lines of Immortal, as in you have to strain to hear them. The cool thing is, it doesn't sound like a drum machine, but it is. I think the guy from DARK FUNERAL did some backing vocals on this, but the song is not specified. There's really nothing else to say about this demo. I like it quite a bit and am glad I got the chance to check out this band. I'm sure they'll put a CD out sometime and I'll make sure to get it. |
| Nihilistic
Ascension & Spiritual Death (CD 2004) - Lunar
Hypnosis Zavorash’s roots date back to 1996 when the band was formed as a three piece. A few years afterwards a few demos were created and the band was more or less put on ice. Then some time later the band signed a contract with Selbstmord Services and the band was reenergized and a re-release of some older material is expected in 2003 as well this album, which I’m reviewing here that will be released in early 2004 (Yes I’m lucky I get to hear this baby before the rest of you). Zavorash offers up a rather enjoyable and highly diverse album of black metal insanity. Some songs have more of straightforward brutal black metal approach (The Legion of Zavorash) while others have more of an old school thrashy black metal feeling to them (Själslig Slutsats). Even more surprising is the song ‘Isolation Icon & The Blackguard’ which holds more of a doom feeling that bands like Forgotten Tomb & Shinning are well known for. There’s also a little bit of synth used on the record, which adds a nice dark atmosphere. One of the things I really enjoy about this record is ‘Nil’s’ guitar playing. Every last song has some incredibly catchy guitar work with tons of great riffs present. Needless to say I’ve been banging my head a lot while listening to this album. ‘I. Hate’s’ drumming is also quite well done with lots of interesting work and not just blast beats like most black metal drummers. Totalscorn’s vocals range from clearly spoken words to the usual raspy black metal vocals. His blackened vocals remind me a lot of someone like Abbath (Immortal), but its not a complete copy and he varies it up often. Totalscorn also handles the lyrics, which are extremely well done. Yes this band plays Nihilistic black metal so it shouldn’t be hard to figure out what the lyrics deal with. Yet they are very elaborate and are much better than any other band that has claimed to play Nihilistic black metal (Make sure you read them when this album is finally available!). As the album draws to a close the listener is treated to one of the most bizarre and unexpected songs to ever be heard on a black metal recording. The song is an odd techno like song with Totalscorn telling a very outlandish story while doing a lot of weird voices. I’m sure all the true black metalers (AKA dumb fucks) that are reading this have already pressed the back button on there browsers and are in the process of summoning Satan to kill the band, but I on the other hand would like to applaud the band. Doing something like this on a black metal recording (especially being signed to Selbstmord Services) is ultra daring but very cool. Personally I can’t stand all these ‘True’ people and its nice to see Zavorash is the same way and doing this song is like sticking a nice middle finger right in their faces. This Swedish band proves to be highly competent when it comes time to playing their instruments and they’ve put together an excellent album filled with a variety of influences. Make sure to check this album out when it’s released early next year on Selbstmord Services. 9 of 10 |