An interesting and ferocious album, abrasive, instinctive and atrociously wrathful, this record certainly has everything to please the enthusiasts of extreme metal. Rapid guitars, inflammable rhythms and aggressive harmonies, this is an album that has no flaws, and no mercy. Nothing here is for the weak. Bound by tradition and setting everything in flames, the most brutal aspects of genre are delivered in abrasive sobriety. An imperial hostility rules, from the very first seconds, until the final moments of the last track.
The two Slidhr tracks has as main trademarks very distorted, pungent, corrosive and aggressive lines of guitar. The constant rhythm and furious demand of their self-reliant style exhilarates confidence, and their objectivity is also a stronger point that works favorably at the pace of the music. Nonetheless, I have to say that the three tracks of Acherontas has pleased me the most. More poetic, with more restrained and stringent harmonies, being properly qualified as sober, somber, sinisterly elusive, artistically adorned, and consistently digressive, certainly the three tracks of Acherontas are the finest pieces on the split. Although more calm and serene, not as aggressive as its counterpart – the contrast of styles between the two bands is easily evident – Acherontas manages to deliver a very strenuous sound, but distant of appearing bellicose or distressful. Even the harsh parts of Acherontas seems more balanced, sculpted and meticulously calculated. Nevertheless, what we have here is a good album, impossible not to please the enthusiasts of the genre.
Although here we have no surprises or innovations, both bands strikes exceedingly well, with remarkably solid peculiarities, profoundly developed at the refined abilities of very singular styles. A strong album, that works splendidly to reiterate, express and refine all the good qualities of the genre, this record can certainly be defined as a very good work of art. So, if you are into extreme metal, Death Of The Ego / Chains of the Fallen will not disappoint you, be sure about that!
Wagner