Xasthur - 2005 Demo
Rating
RIYL
TwilightWolves In The Throne Room
Burzum
Nachtmystium
Release Date
02/23/2010
Label
Hydra HeadTracklist
1. Untitled 4/052. Untitled 5/05
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Brooding, dense, inexorable, funereal—all of the Xasthur trademarks are here on this two song set of previously unreleased demo tracks recorded in 2005, just prior to the Subliminal Genocide sessions. They serve as further proof of the true genius that is Xasthur, comprised of just one man, Scott Conner, who is clearly at the forefront of American black metal. In addition to being involved with Nachtmystium, Twilight, and Sunn 0))), Conner’s own brainchild Xasthur is incredibly prolific, churning out material at a consistently high level. Conner is one of the more enigmatic men in metal, outspoken about his alienation from the Californian black metal scene, doing virtually no interviews or press, and never playing any Xasthur material live. The mystery surrounding Xasthur just serves to underscore the incredibly dark sound Conner’s project is known for.
On display here is that trademark lo-fi gloom in all its glory. Xasthur deliberately layers the bleak textures to maximum effect, building an almost medieval sense of haunting desolation. Guitars and synths weave in and out of the mix like so much damp earth with the rest of the instruments working in concert to create an atmosphere of utter despair and hopelessness. Conner’s wretched, blackened vocals punch through the sinister murkiness, sounding like a crazed vulture intent on feeding on the carrion of slain men. By using traditional black metal recording styles and aesthetics, but mixing in heavy doses of other influences, Xasthur has created a sound that transcends the often limited confines of black metal, moving the project into a wholly separate sphere of oppressive sonic malevolence. Xasthur is some of the most evil, sinister music ever recorded.
This Xasthur demo is very good, and it is a true treat that material of this quality was uncovered and made available to the world. Don’t be deceived by the fact that this EP is called a demo—they’re not just disjointed or throwaway tracks; they absolutely stack up to the rest of Xasthur’s work. The demo is quite short, running at just sixteen minutes, but if you are not familiar with Xasthur then maybe this is just what you need to enter his blighted universe.
--Jake Oliver
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