Castevet

Blackening ― adding elements of black metal ― other metallic genres is nothing new. From thrash to death metal, they've all had their moment and been churned through the meat grinder. Still, while even hardcore has experienced this phenomenon, nothing prepared it for the imposing insanity of Castevet's debut full-length, Mounds Of Ash. An obliterating affair that unites two dichotomous subcategories with the subtlety of a MIG welder, the explosions, spits and spurts of these seven tracks are something that could blind, deafen and burn without proper care. Smashing the proficiency of mid-'80s thrash against the hardcore viciousness and torment of Tragedy, Anodyne and Rorschach is frightening enough, but brandishing an aural flamethrower, Castevet render all of that previous volatility into its carbonic base thanks to a deep appreciation for the mire and bleakness of Drudkh and Emperor. It ensures Mounds Of Ash is pretty much what will be left of anything this deadly chemical mixture touches. Yet like the innocently curious children we are, we'll certainly keep bringing the matches closer and closer.