Sapthuran/Leviathan Split
Battle Kommand Records BKR008 February 13th, 2006
By Jason Jordan
See the major problem with splits is as follows: if one band isnt worth listening to, then it drags down the value of the release as a whole. This is a prime example, and Ill bet you can guess which band comes up short in the end. Need a clue? It sure as hell aint Leviathan.
As far as Sapthuran are concerned, its the classic case of one man, um, manning every instrument, and that man is Patrick Hall (Immolatus). Im inclined to believe that the three songs hes supplied arent products of bedroom black metal, but there are quite a few weak spots. There are so many, in fact, I find it hard to believe that Halls birthed two full-lengths In Hatred and To the Edge of Land under this moniker. Simply put, Sapthuran arent too interesting. Worse yet, the drumming is noticeably sloppy while the folk injections are poorly played. Check out the 4:35 minute mark of As a Tale Told by the Leaves and Whispered by the Wind (ugh) for an example of the latter, though the drumming miscues saturate Halls entire half of the split. It does get better during the respite that is And Autumn Sheds Its Final Tear, however, as the wind-filled background complements the energetic acoustic arrangement nicely. Then its back into the muddy, slip-inducing trenches during Sapthurans rendition of The Wanderer: Blood in the Forest. While Kentucky (my birth state) most assuredly isnt known for its black metal, its not as if Hall cant redeem himself in the future. But for now, he may have shot himself in the foot by collaborating with one of the best USBM outfits in recent history; in short, even as an upstart, his missteps are made all the more conspicuous when held up against the mighty Leviathan.
At 45 minutes total, Wrest (Twilight, Lurker of Chalice) strangles his way through the last five tracks, presenting applause-worthy material as usual. After the requisite desolate intro, Odious Convulsions (They Are Not Worthy of His Name) obliterates the stillness with its frenzied, tense assault. The background subtleties unnerving alarums blaring every so often, bass lines rumbling steadily, and drum beats emanating experience bolster the main riffs and burly growls. Like other Leviathan material, The Fourth Blind Wound wastes no time ripping out the heart of the matter, lunging out of the starting gate full speed ahead with blinders donned and everything. Still, its not riveting until it halts the pace and then readjusts its trot at the 4:15 minute mark, which features instrumentation to die on a cross for. The overriding grooves of Crushing the Prolapsed Oviducts of Virtue are lethal as well. Another notable attribute of Leviathan is none other than Wrests talent for lacing his songs with suicidal, melancholic feelings further amplified by the creepiness he strews throughout his offerings.
Lamentably, Sapthurans presence diminishes Leviathans showing here, because about 20 minutes of this Split is amateurish and unpolished. As always, though, Wrest edges closer to the best in show USBM award with every subsequent release, and diehard fanatics should purchase this despite the setbacks. The score, of course, reflects the entire ride.
6/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Battle Kommand Records Website
Battle Kommand Records BKR008 February 13th, 2006
By Jason Jordan
See the major problem with splits is as follows: if one band isnt worth listening to, then it drags down the value of the release as a whole. This is a prime example, and Ill bet you can guess which band comes up short in the end. Need a clue? It sure as hell aint Leviathan.
As far as Sapthuran are concerned, its the classic case of one man, um, manning every instrument, and that man is Patrick Hall (Immolatus). Im inclined to believe that the three songs hes supplied arent products of bedroom black metal, but there are quite a few weak spots. There are so many, in fact, I find it hard to believe that Halls birthed two full-lengths In Hatred and To the Edge of Land under this moniker. Simply put, Sapthuran arent too interesting. Worse yet, the drumming is noticeably sloppy while the folk injections are poorly played. Check out the 4:35 minute mark of As a Tale Told by the Leaves and Whispered by the Wind (ugh) for an example of the latter, though the drumming miscues saturate Halls entire half of the split. It does get better during the respite that is And Autumn Sheds Its Final Tear, however, as the wind-filled background complements the energetic acoustic arrangement nicely. Then its back into the muddy, slip-inducing trenches during Sapthurans rendition of The Wanderer: Blood in the Forest. While Kentucky (my birth state) most assuredly isnt known for its black metal, its not as if Hall cant redeem himself in the future. But for now, he may have shot himself in the foot by collaborating with one of the best USBM outfits in recent history; in short, even as an upstart, his missteps are made all the more conspicuous when held up against the mighty Leviathan.
At 45 minutes total, Wrest (Twilight, Lurker of Chalice) strangles his way through the last five tracks, presenting applause-worthy material as usual. After the requisite desolate intro, Odious Convulsions (They Are Not Worthy of His Name) obliterates the stillness with its frenzied, tense assault. The background subtleties unnerving alarums blaring every so often, bass lines rumbling steadily, and drum beats emanating experience bolster the main riffs and burly growls. Like other Leviathan material, The Fourth Blind Wound wastes no time ripping out the heart of the matter, lunging out of the starting gate full speed ahead with blinders donned and everything. Still, its not riveting until it halts the pace and then readjusts its trot at the 4:15 minute mark, which features instrumentation to die on a cross for. The overriding grooves of Crushing the Prolapsed Oviducts of Virtue are lethal as well. Another notable attribute of Leviathan is none other than Wrests talent for lacing his songs with suicidal, melancholic feelings further amplified by the creepiness he strews throughout his offerings.
Lamentably, Sapthurans presence diminishes Leviathans showing here, because about 20 minutes of this Split is amateurish and unpolished. As always, though, Wrest edges closer to the best in show USBM award with every subsequent release, and diehard fanatics should purchase this despite the setbacks. The score, of course, reflects the entire ride.
6/10
UMs Review Rating Scale
Official Battle Kommand Records Website
