![astral crypt of moloch – impurity [demo]](https://www.vm-underground.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Astral-Crypt-Of-Moloch-–-Impurity-Demo-cover.webp "Astral Crypt Of Moloch – Impurity [Demo]")
Info
- Band(s): Astral Crypt of Moloch
- Label(s): Death Hymns
- Release Format(s): Cassette, Demo
- Release Year: 2023
- Review Date: February 21, 2024
- Author(s): FelixS
In 2019 the elusive and mysterious one-man act Astral Crypt Of Moloch released one demo tape which served the listener some of the better Raw and Lo-Fi Black Metal at the time. The use of moody keyboards made the sound almost feel warm, but it also offered a certain sense of depth and creativity. That demo, simply named ‘Demo’, was released by the revered Lampshade Tapes label, yet this follow-up demo tape is presented by the equally praised Death Hymns. But that certainly doesn’t seem the only change from the 2019-released first offering…
While ‘Demo’ also thrived on its thoroughly raw sound, ‘Impurity’ certainly lives up to its name. While the inner core of Astral Crypt Of Moloch remains largely intact, the musical course is evidently headed towards an even cruder sound. The moody keyboards that made the first demo so mystical is traded for an even more Ildjarnian approach, allowing the music to have an increasingly more primitive character. The punky vibes, especially as heard in the drums, are the driving force throughout the full 20 minutes of this demo, but it actually also forms the very fundament of an almost Bestial Black/Death sort of violence.
The chaotic nature of the music on ‘Impurity’ is not only a contrast to the preceding demo, it also feels like it has been leading the band into a slightly more interchangeable musical territory. Whereas the band previously had a quite unique sound, this is much less recognizable and I think that everyone would have a hard time guessing the band if the band name had fallen off the cover art.
That, in turn, doesn’t mean the music on offer isn’t good or enjoyable. On the contrary I would almost say. I personally love my portion of chaos and confusion and the authenticity of the music, including the wild and frantic whammy solos, definitely help to appreciate ‘Impurity’ for what it is: an equally wild and frantic affair for those with a deeply rooted adoration for Ildjarn.
Death Hymns
- Country: USA
- Style: Black Metal, Grindcore
- Links: Facebook, Instagram
