SOPHIST - CANADA

SOPHIST - BETROTHAL TO THE STONE: CONCEPTION OF MEPHISTO
This Edmonton, Canada duo was "conjured" up as recently as June 2019. An EP is already here and claims to mash grindcore and black metal. An impressive achievement for Michael K Sparks and Davis R. Hay. On this three song debut the first man has taken on guitars and bass duties and the latter vocals and the dreaded programming. The EP, however, also features the same three songs again as instrumental versions. The title track starts sounding raw and speedy, like no frills black metal releases of old. The drumming blasts away while Hay screams. The guitars (and bass) are somewhat buried under the aforementioned and speed right along. May be the aforementioned mash up simply results in death metal? Choke On Your Bile provides a better showcase of the guitars but only just slightly, it includes a short solo too. The speedy metal does shine through, in a chaotic loud screams kind of way. A Captive Of Saturn's Scythe sounds more grinding to start and then blasts and destroys its way through nearly three minutes of raw metal. The instrumental versions come along and provide another look or listen at the musicianship. There is only so much that can be expected from a duo but all blasting or speedy metal are all music to a listener's ears. More esoteric and occult music is promised for the near future. Check for more at sophistmetal.bandcamp.com. – Anna Tergel