AZOTHYST – Blood of Dead God

The Canadian quartet known as Azothyst specializes in relentlessly dark and aggressive black/death metal that is incredibly rich in atmosphere and full of determin­ation. The EP’s claustrophobic vibe is constantly emphasized by the dissonant, grimy riffs that are akin to a jackhammer being driven into one’s skull. The vocals are outright pulverizing and reek of death and depravity while the ambient- and drone-esque interludes add a creeping sense of something most unpleasant and sinister to the proceedings. The overall aura of “Blood of Dead God” feels decidedly lethal, and the hyper-intense, aggressive, and suitably murky sound and presentation of it all is utterly appealing and abhorrently morbid. Dangerously seductive stuff for sure.

The six-track output is neither innovative nor groundbreaking but is instead so overwhelmingly vile and musically crushing that it is impossible not to be seduced by its maelstrom of twisted ideas as well as its strong sense of urgency and drive. Brutal, filthy, and memorable stuff with the closing track, “Graveless Mass”, being a brilliant example of how to craft trance-inducing metal that sounds as if it emanates from the bowels of hell.