Vault Review: Sarastus — The Deceased Dwell in Darkness

Band: Sarastus
EP: The Deceased Dwell in Darkness
Genre: Black Metal / Melodic
Country: Finland
Label: Independant
Released:
2019

Foto: Gronnenhell

Foto: Gronnenhell

Introduction

Our great Finnish neighbours have for decades been producing great black metal bands and albums. Today I wanted to open up the vault and shed some light on this particular gem. Sarastus briliant EP “The Deceased Dwell in Darkness” has been a release that I constantly revisit. Theodor Kittelsen’s artwork “Pesta” in black and white drapes the EP’s cover. A fitting picture for Sarastus mournful and brutal black metal.

“Revenant” is the man on both vocals and keyboard on this EP. He is also known from other bands such as Order of Nosferat and Sarkrista. His gnarly vocals are filled with a feeling of hateful sorrow, which are layered on top of these drawn out melodic guitar riffs that really carry the sense of sadness and/or mourning. The drums of “Vardøger” who does the rest of the instruments, adds the agression, bruatlity and fast pace that also brings out the madness of Revenants vocal delivery.

The Deceased Dwell in Darkness

Tracklist:

  1. The Deceased Dwell in Darkness
  2. The Dwindling Spiral
  3. Moribund Spirit
  4. Open the Noxious Veins

The intro’s and outro’s of the tracks on this EP have some beautiful sections done by Revenant on the keyboard. He creates the feeling of a medieval gloom, and it transports me straight into the candle-lit hallways of a vampiric castle.

The overall pace of this EP is fast, and it is a powerful cocktail of brutality, melody and melancholy. This release is by far my favourite of any of the other projects Revenant and Vardøger are parts of. Revenants vocal style just so happens to be my favourite sound, and he delivers it all on this EP.

Conclusion

Sarastus really delivered an explosion of melody, brutality and melancholy with this relase. Plenty of catchy and memorable riffs with lyrics one can shout along with topped with thundering drums. This EP has all that I look for when I am searching for new music, that is why The Deceased Dwell in Darkness gets alot of playtime through my ears. This is also the reason that I wanted to share this in a “From the Vault” review with you all.

I highly recomend this EP to you all, it’s a short one of only 19 minute runtime, but I can promise that it’s a memorable one that will pump up your energy and make ur head bang!

BMZ Rating: 10 / 10

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