Well, in some regions that dark era of black metal is still very alive and kicking. In Denmark, in the year 2012, another horde arose. Their names is Satanic Assault Division and they want to burn the earth. Highly influenced by the ancient blackened deities, including Emperor, Darkthrone, Carpathian Forest and so on, this quintet revives the most satanic versions of the genre and bring it back into our age. Once again, it's a counter reaction, this time facing the massive post-black storm with fierce, brutal, primitive and evil music.
Musically, you can expect something quite similar to the previously mentioned bands. That being brutal, harsh black metal, loaded with blast beats and haunted screams. However, there are some seriously brilliant passages to be found on this album. 'Destroying The Temple Of God', a title that says quite enough of the mindset of this band, immediately blasts their punishing sound in your face. Well varied, well written, well produced and so intense it's almost beautiful.
'Beast' is one of my favorite songs on 'Kill The Cross'. With fierce, almost inhuman drums, this one drills through your skull at an industrial paste. That being said, the drums on this album are awesome. Whether it's the blast beats, the slow, doomy parts or the uptempo, thrash metal induced passages, this rhythm-animal delivers bigtime. The other musicians follow quite effortlessly in this raging alternation between tempos. In 'Defiled By Abalam' the speed takes on extremes, much to my delight actually.
These are just three songs of a stunning black metal album. I haven't been this enthusiastic about and old school album since I discovered Mörk Gryning and Unlord. Ok, I admit, maybe a few other pieces sent to me by Satanath records had a similar effect but this one breathes a perfect atmosphere, has a perfect amount of variation and sounds perfect overall. As far as traditional Scandinavian black metal albums is concerned, this is arguably one of the best in recent history.
Serge