Without first putting out a demo or an EP, Taär comes forward as a Greek/Swiss combo with their debut ‘Catharsis Till Dawn’. Well, Swiss… a Dutchman with bands like Prostitute Disfigurement, Katafalk, and Toxocare on his CV, who currently resides in Switzerland.
The debut is steeped in Second Wave Black Metal, and this preference is immediately clear from the first riff of the opener ‘Celestial Carnage’, whereas the rest of the record offers a solid mix of Norwegian and Swedish influences, with Sweden often taking the lead. Due to certain riffs and (militant) drumming, the thought ‘Hey! Marduk!’ pops up more than once during listens where aggression is the main focus.
Overall, ‘Catharsis Till Dawn’ is an enjoyable listen; it isn’t a high-flyer, but it meets expectations. A good start for Taär.
