Sarastus is a Finnish Black Metal band from Kempele, Finland who released their first demo in 2015. They label their music/sound as “Hyper Black Metal” — a term that hints at their intense an fast-paced tremolo riffed style. And so far this trio has 7 under their bullet belts.
Most Finnish Black Metal bands are often incredibly extreme and raunchy. Exactly the way I like it. Now, Sarastus undoubtedly has a bit of a dirty streak, but it all sounds a bit more like the Swedish division of the family, with a healthy dose of melodic guitars wrapped in razor-sharp tremolo riffs. Comparisons with the older Dark Funeral material and to some degree Dissection are therefore inevitable, although Sarastus is not a copy. Other similar influences – I’d say – see: Sargeist and Horna.
On this 3rd full-length album, Sarkrista/Order of Nosferat vocalist Revenant passed the microphone to Galgenvot (from the band Wrang). I checked out Revenant’s vocal style on their previous releases and it pleases me more than Galgenvot’s efforts. Don’t get me wrong: Galgenvot screams his lungs out with glee – it’s just too melodic and not enough necro for my taste.
The album contains 9 compositions. The fast paced tracks alternate with quieter ones that have plenty of acoustic passages. Personally, I can’t quite agree with it. The whole thing sounds unparalleled, yet in my opinion, it’s been done too often before. They’re beautiful songs, but the melodic dimension turns me off.
Maybe I’ve been overstimulated or spoiled rotten during all my years. Like a callus that formed on my personal taste. Who knows?
Other people will disagree with me for sure on ‘Agony Eternal’. Conclusion and final verdict: Sarastus understands the art of delivering old school Black Metal that is tightly composed and neatly blends musicality with grimness – resulting in a solid album. I urge fans of this type of Metal to check out the band and their releases.
