Sarastus celebrates its return with a third album.
Formed by Dusk (guitar/bass, Fylgjur) in 2014, the musician is joined by Galgenvot (vocals, Nevel, Wrang) and Anzillu (drums, Curse upon a Prayer, Iku-Turso, Order of Nosferat) for the release of Agony Eternal, on Dominance of Darkness Records.
The late Trevor Strnad (The Black Dahlia Murder) also contributed vocals.
After three seconds of silence, Gravelust strikes without warning, unleashing Finnish-style violence and coldness beneath furious and intense vocals that still allow for a few more intoxicating melodies. The savagery intensifies as the song progresses, borrowing from Raw Black before returning to an equally raw atmosphere on the title track, Agony Eternal, where the aggressive and motivating approach transforms into a veritable wave of darkness. The roars reinforce the heavy atmosphere of the track, which eventually gives way to the melancholic Towards Eternity, which slowly starts off but suddenly bursts into flames and carries us away in its dark torrent of piercing harmonics that perfectly complement the visceral vocals. The band’s roots color the song with their icy touch, but also with that haunting lead guitar before moving on to Where Cruelty Never Ends, transporting us to dissonant but very melodious landscapes, reinforcing the existing contrast. The vocals remain as striking and versatile as ever, shifting from rage to sorrow before moving on to No Horizon, which returns to more ethereal roots while retaining its original firepower, but the track quickly leads us to the unbridled Metamorphosis, where the musicians accelerate once again to weave their striking blend. From Pride, To Shame, To Misery returns to effective Old School patterns, confirmed by the appearance of screams, but also by this energetic and almost playful approach before the arrival of the majestic vocals. These mark the end of the track, but also the transition to Into The Lair, the last composition, which remains rooted in this hazy blend of (im)pure darkness and a touch of melancholy, marking the end of a short but intense album.
Sarastus‘ return is an excellent thing for the Finnish scene, offering powerful riffs, but also moments of rare intensity. Melancholy remains present on Agony Eternal, as a symbol of an assumed and delectable coldness.
90/100