Review: Taär - Catharsis Till Dawn

Band: Taär
Album: Catharsis Till Dawn
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Greece/Switzerland
Label: Soulseller Records
Released: April 10th, 2025

Introduction

Crawling out of the shadows with Catharsis Till Dawn, Taär is a name that’s starting to circle the deeper trenches of the black metal underground. The band originates from Greece and Switzerland, and some of the members have been in previous bands or are still in other bands. But to me, it's a new face on the block.

Sonically rooted in the grim traditions of the late '90s Scandinavian scene, Taär doesn’t chase progress or polish. Their sound is rough-edged but clear, delivering black metal with purpose: cold, heavy, and stripped of excess. Think of the unrelenting pace of Svart Vinter-era Isvind, fused with the spiteful grit of Kirkebrann and the venomous bite of Gorgon. Its music built for those who still believe black metal should hurt a little.

No pretension. No reinvention. Just black metal that reeks of conviction. Taär isn’t here to guide you—they’re here to drag you through it all.

Catharsis Till Dawn

Tracklist:

1. Celestial Carnage
2. Feathered Echoes of Wrath
3. The Storm of War
4. Perpetual Descent
5. At Depths of DamnationUndead's Turn
6. Where Death Stalks Its Prey
7. The Impaler's Triumph
8. Catharsis Till Dawn

The production on Catharsis Till Dawn hits that balance many bands miss—it’s raw enough to keep things dangerous, but clear enough that nothing gets lost. On headphones, everything’s right where it should be, which lets the record’s cold edge really bite without descending into mud. That roughness isn’t a flaw—it’s part of the experience, perfectly suited to the style Taär works in.

The standout moment comes with the fifth track, At Depths of Damnation. Its opening caught the listener off guard, with a harshness that sets a suffocating tone right from the start. The track brings a heaviness rooted more in its tone and pacing than emotional weight—slow, forceful, and deliberate. Still, there’s a deeper layer to the experience: a sense of nostalgia. Not personal, but tied to a specific era of black metal—the late '90s to early 2000s—when the scene had a narrower focus, before the explosion of subgenres and stylistic detours.

The album recalls the spirit of that time, with, as mentioned, in particular Isvind, Kirkebrann, and Gorgon coming to mind—projects that share a similar conviction and sound. It’s the kind of black metal that doesn’t ask for permission or attention—it just is, and if you know, you know.

What keeps Catharsis Till Dawn in rotation is simple: every time it plays, it feels like something worth hearing. No hype, no gimmick—just solid black metal that holds its own and deserves the time it gets.

Conclusion

And now it's time for the conclusion of this album. As said above, I enjoyed the album very much. It's a great debut album for the band, and I'm looking forward to what the future will hold in store for them, but for now, if you are into nonsense black metal, then give this album a spin, you'll like it. I'm sure of it.

BMZ Rating: 7,5 – Good: A solid and enjoyable album overall. It boasts strong songwriting and performance quality, delivering a cohesive and satisfying listen.

Support Taär here: https://taarband.bandcamp.com/album/catharsis-till-dawn

Your thoughts on Taär

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this album! You can rate it right here on this page, share your opinion on our social media channels, or join the discussion on our Discord—where we talk about all things black metal. Don’t forget to follow our Facebook page, Black Metal Zine, for updates on our latest articles, and take a look at our Instagram @blackmetal.zine for concert photos and more!