ADVERSARIAL/ANTEDILUVIAN – Initiated in Impiety as Mysteries [Split]

Reviewed by Ryan

Plain and simple – this split is exceptional in every way.  The blackened death captured on this 12” is phenomenal, and deserves attention among extreme metal faithful.  Toronto’s ADVERSARIAL contributes to the A-Side (dubbed ‘Side Leviathan’), while the Ontario/Alberta duo ANTEDILUVIAN close the split out on the B-Side (dubbed ‘Side Lucifer’).

Perhaps no coincidence, I am writing this review as Hurricane Sandy steadily approaches my home in the Baltimore area.  The album is consumed with imagery pertaining to chaos and demise, and those images are the same I can see with the plain eye outside my window.  Cheers to the two bands for elevating my Hurricane Sandy experience with some chaotic blasts of blackened death.

ADVERSARIAL starts the LP out with a torturous soundscape, then enters in with trademark speed-laden, blackened death metal with growls from the depths of hell.  The black metal dominance in the guitars and the thunderous drum attack is matched equally by throbbing death growls of C.S.

Lyrically, ADVERSARIAL reaches deep into the nether world of death, and paints a picture of the world’s inevitable decay and ultimately, that of mankind.  “Into the Waning of Twilight’s Death Ocean” is just a beast of a track that works in some nice breakdowns in between exceptional percussion and chaotic axe work.  Blast beats are integrated with incredible speed and precision, and carry the closing of this tune with brutal excellence.

Even more evil is the midway riff in “Spiraling Toward the Ultimate End,” the closer on ‘Side Leviathan’.  The use of bending within the riff make for a devastating exit and capture the essence of ADVERSARIAL’s contribution to the split.  And that is only the A-Side…

ANTEDILUVIAN kicks off the B-Side with the same crushing, blackened death as dished out by ADVERSARIAL, but dive even deeper into the depths of Hell.  There is a more rustic, primal production sound to ‘Side Lucifer’ that sets a satisfying tone comparison between the two bands.

Saturated with more of a dirge on guitars and equally speed-laden drums, ANTEDILUVIAN wastes no time with their opening cut, “Force of Suns of Adversary.”  The track consumes with low-end death growls and guitars that literally scream and cry throughout.

Lyrically, ANTEDILUVIAN focus more on the black arts of Satan, yet stay on the theme of mankind’s demise.  “Dissolution Spires” is one of the darkest, most evil tracks I have ever heard.  It embodies depravity and desperation, with a slower, more deliberate riff at the midway point that is cryptically haunting.

For those die-hard followers of Nuclear War Now! Productions, you probably already own this LP.  For those that are not yet familiar, take this as your wake-up call.  The Bay area label founded by Yosuke Konishi is THE definitive underground extreme label, and have a solid tradition of releasing the best cult metal the underground has to offer since 2001.

LINKS
Nuclear War Now! Productions
Nuclear War Now! Productions on Bandcamp

ADVERSARIAL on Facebook
ANTEDILUVIAN on Facebook

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