Imperial Triumphant - Abominamentvm

Review by Zamaan Raza.

Album art by Andrew Tremblay

When the word “technical” is used to describe a band, it is usually a byword for self-indulgence and overproduction. Although Imperial Triumphant must be described as such (check out the preposterous bass shredding on “Manifesto”), their virtuosity never feels needless or contrived.

Imperial Triumphant are a USBM band from New York, and Abomninamentvm is their first full length despite the fact that they have been knocking around since 2005. Their sound is strongly reminiscent of a concise Deathspell Omega --- indeed, the intro to “Crushing the Idol” sounds remarkably similar to DsO’s “Obombration.” Which is not to take anything away from Imperial Triumphant; they manage to fit a lot of riffs and grooves (see, for example, the jazzy break midway through “Devs est Machina”) into a frenetic 25 minutes without descending into an inchoate grind.

The highlight of the album has to be “S.P.Q.R,” with its uneasy, lurching beat provided by the ridiculously tight rhythm section, morphing into a grindcore-esque breakdown, and ending with one of the most memorable riffs you will hear all year. This is forward-thinking black metal of the highest calibre.

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Ringworm / Mindsnare - Your Soul Belongs To Us

Review by Natalie Zina Walschots. Originally published here by Exclaim.


Brief as it is brutal, this Ringworm/Mindsnare split is a series of short blasts, like bursts of machinegun fire. Cleveland, OH-based Ringworm are renowned for the intensity of the aural assaults they wreak upon their audiences. Led by vocalist Human Furnace, their metallic hardcore is delivered with all the subtlety of a grenade launcher. Their two tracks are just over a minute and two-and-a-half minutes, both feeling like you stuck your eardrums in front of a blowtorch.

Human Furnace from Ringworm. Photo by Carmelo Española.

Australia's Mindsnare are certainly not a soft or smooth band, but in comparison, the breaks in their work, the ebb and flow to their songs, become more apparent. "Gather and Decompose" accelerates then slows, going through this cycle several times. Their work emerges ass the twistier when juxtaposed against Ringworm's, the intricate curls more visible.

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Seven Sisters of Sleep / Children of God - Split

Review by Natalie Zina Walschots. Originally published here by Exclaim.


On this split endeavour, Seven Sisters of Sleep and Children of God combine their efforts into 24 minutes of unbridled fury. Seven Sisters of Sleep contribute three tracks that are as lugubrious as they are monstrous ― the sounds take the shape of rancid, snarling dirges. Their section begins measured and drawn, but by the time they've unleashed "Almighty Black Talons," the brooding passages break out into assaults.

The contribution from Children of God is both more up-tempo and chaotic. The vocals are thinner, a strained wailing in contrast to the deeper, more anguished sound of Seven Sisters of Sleep. "Bled Dry" is their most introspective track, but it's still characterized by harsh rejection and disgust. Both bands are lashing out in anger, but where Seven Sisters of Sleep wait and strike, Children of God violently and indiscriminately flail. The only respite to this fury is sheer exhaustion.

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