CoC : Artisian - Seargte le Reothadh : Review

Artisian - _Seargte le Reothadh_
(Infernus Rex, 2007)
by: Quentin Kalis (5 out of 10)

Londoners Artisian unleash their third grim and monochromed offering upon the wider world, but unlike most of their raccoon faced peers, they do not hesitate to draw from the death metal well to supplement their heresies. This is espeically noticeable with regard to the grunts complementing the usual ear piercing snarls and evoking memories of the sadly defunct Hate Forest. The use of death metal aspects in a primarily blackened context fails to correct _Seargte le Reothadh_'s primary defect: their songs are far too simple. Yes, this is black metal which is supposed to be inherently elementary, yet Artisian have taken it too far and not in a positive manner. Ildjarn was even simpler, but the sheer amount of feedback combined with its hypnotic repetitiveness enabled Ildjarn to not only get away with it but to create several classics. In the absence of this mesmeric quality, Artisian is only momentarily engaging, and will be forgotten as soon as the next blackened platter arrives. Although the numbers are kept quite short, hovering around the two to three minute mark, this only alleviates and does not abrogate their innate simplicity. If the idea of black metal being too simple sounds like an absurdity, this may be an ideal, if belated, stocking filler.

Contact: http://www.infernusrex.com

(article published 11/3/2008)