Abamath / Tahazu – Abamath / Tahazu [Split]

Up first is Abamath, a one-man project from Wisconsin. Through the three Abamath tracks on this split, M. gives us scathing black metal, with a hint of Black and Roll influence. The guitar tone is at near chainsaw level, while the drums roll through a combination of blasting and galloping Rock and Roll beats. The harsh, distorted vocals are the cherry on top. Listening to these three tracks is like riding a raging conflagration – white hot and out of control. Abamath is sure to get your blood racing and your fist pumping with his aggressive take on Black Metal and all you can do is hold on tight and enjoy the riff-driven ride.

Accounting for slightly less than half of the split, Tahazu, another one-man project from Wisconsin, plays a thick, suffocating style of Black Metal. He’s been exceptionally productive – he founded this project in 2015, yet his Bandcamp page features twenty-five(!) releases already. Featuring a wall-of-sound sort of production that doesn’t completely wash out all distinctions, the three tracks on this half send what feels like an endless wave of dissonance through the listeners ear canals. Coldly malevolent, Tahazu is the type of release that speaks to me viscerally. Mountains of rage avalanche out in a smothering cacophony. I’ve had it in my mind to compare this project to Decoherence, a project that I dearly love, and Metal Archives tells me that this is an incredibly apt comparison. You see, Tahazu is credited as the vocalist for that project as well. It seems he also likes this style. Though the entire split is well worth your time, Tahazu is clearly my favorite of the two sides. (Hayduke X)