“The Confessional of the Black Penitents” is VARATHRON’s new contribution to their long-lasting discography. Only three of its seven tracks are new compositions, with the rest being live material from previous albums. “Unholy Funeral”, which appeared on 1993’s “His Majesty at the Swamp”, is mid-paced , full of sentiment, atmosphere and “Greek” black metal ‘. “Cassiopeia’s Ode” from the 1995 album “Walpurgisnacht” and “The Descent Of A Prophetic Vision” from 1991’s “One Step Beyond Dreams” which moves back and forth between bursts of fast and lower-paced melodic segments.
The last of the live tracks is the immense “Kabalistic Invocation Of Solomon” from 2014 “Untrodden Corridors of Hades”. It’s a long and powerful song that begins with medieval chanting and a tribal drum rhythm forming a ritualistic feeling.
VARATHRON does admittedly follow and maintain the stereotypical “Greek” aesthetic on the original half of this EP which is a distinct amalgamation of contemporary black metal techniques and the infusion of older rock elements. The mid-paced title track is launched by guitar picking leading to successive addition musical layers and sweeping melodies contributing on its exotic atmosphere.
“Sinister Recollections” is a long and complex composition; mesmerizing and capturing, coming off very passionately. At nearly eight minutes in length, “Utter Blackness” is another powerful track which that incorporates rapid, surprising riffs and potent drum rhythms, extensively epic melodies and serpentine guitar excursions.
Overall, it is an interesting release with the live content being carefully selected to cover a wide range of past releases and the taste of the three new compositions leaving the audience ‘wanting more’.
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