Xasthur

Cementing himself as one of the more prolific artists of the day with a slew of releases in the last few years, Xasthur’s Malefic caps it off by re-releasing what is viewed by many as his finest work. Equal to Nocturnal Poisoning in quality and overall atmosphere, A Gate bests much of his recent output for overall beastliness but not necessarily for dynamics. For those unfamiliar, Xasthur is pretty much the standard setting act for the burgeoning depressive black metal wave — oft-imitated but rarely equalled. For those interested in exploring the darkest recesses of their subconscious, and subjecting themselves to some of the most disturbing, uncompromisingly produced music available, look no further. This reissue comes complete with a bonus disc featuring an early demo and expanded artwork, making it an obvious purchase for those who’ve been keeping up with his massive catalogue.