Anatomy Of The Infinite (Obsidian Records)

 “Anatomy Of The Infinite” is the second and latest full length of this Australian Black Metal act. The quintet, formed in 1998, have a quite extense discography, including two demos and several EPs released before “Renascent Misanthropy”, the band’s latest work before this one… Seven years passed since the releasing of this first album, I actually thought the band ceased to exist, fortunately I was wrong; following the steps of their previous album, Astriaal come back with eight brand new tracks of elegantly composed Black Metal… The strong use of obscure melodies and pseudo-depressive atmospheres are the trademark of this album, mid paced structures adorned by simple and enigmatic riffs, an accurate drumming and a high quality vocal performance creates a quite uncommon form of Black Metal art, quite away from the average grimness we are use to hear in the traditional Black Metal and even far away from today’s “symphonic”, “depressive” or “suicidal” Black Metal clichés… if I have to label the sound of Astriaal, I would say this band is a fine exponent of the so called “modern” Black Metal, not so bizarre to be labeled as “post” Black Metal, but certainly not conventional enough to be “traditional” Black Metal either… Overall “Anatomy Of The Infinite” is a very solid release that enclosing aggressivity, obscurity and atmospheres in a single unity is capable to maintain the attention of the listener during the 34 minutes this album lasts… So if you are a Black Metal diehard, open-minded enough to enjoy a clear production and uncommon composition, but also like the straight no-bullshit musicianship and the obscurity and mystery that will always surround a good Black Metal album, I strongly recommend you to take a listen to “Anatomy Of The Infinite”, you will not be disappointed. (AP)