Sargeist - Feeding the Crawling Shadows (2014)

After blowing away the Black Metal scene with their 2010 masterpiece “Let the Devil In”, Sargeist finally returns with an even more visceral and punishing release with “Feeding The Crawling Shadows”. Led by Shatraug, of Horna fame, this album combines the raw and decadent feeling of early 90’s Black Metal releases with the current progression of the genre in a 10-track package that will leave your ears buzzing for days.

Blasting the listener since the first riff of “Feeding The Crawling Shadows”, the opener track, the band delivers a raw and unfiltered look into the depths of hell with their crushing sound. Being very raw and aggressive, the band delivers punishing music without giving the listener that feeling of trying too hard that most BM reek of these days. This is easily seen in the demoralizing “In Charnel Dreams” and “Unto The Undead Temple”.

The insatiable quest for brutality of the band brings them to concoct tracks like “Snares of Impurity” and “Return of the Rats”; two songs that are quite barbaric in nature, but have that killer melodic riffing that only Shatraug can deliver. Hoath Torog vocals might not be for everybody, but his deranged screams and deep growls are a perfect fit for the filthy and creepy atmosphere of this release.

Rounding up this Black Metal battalion, Vainaja’s pulsating Bass guitar keeps the songs intense and dense, while Horns drumming changes the pace between brutal onslaught and devilish melodic passages like the ones found on “The Shunned Angel”. As the albums draws to a close with the crushing “Inside The Demon’s Maze”, the playfully malefic “Kingdom Below”, and the monumental “Funerary Descent”, we find ourselves blown away by the sheer intensity of Sargeist. As probably the most devastating Black Metal release of 2014, “Feeding the Crawling Shadows” is one of those albums that needs to be in every self-respecting fan of the genre‘s collection.

Label: World Terror Committee

Release: March 31st, 2014

Genre: Black Metal

Country: Finland