THRONE OF KATARSIS -

THRONE OF KATARSIS - AN ETERNAL DARK HORIZON - CANDLELIGHT  
A mere four years old at this point, Norway’s Throne Of Katarsis nonetheless reaches back into old Darkthrone and early Mayhem for its sound and inspiration in its quest to produce “occult black metal.” The five songs on disc - for a total of 55 minutes - sound deceptively simple and linear upon first listen or two. Indeed, such is the description many commercial metal outlets accord to bands they would like their readers to engage with when the reviewed band is disappointingly dull or bereft of riffs. In Throne Of Katarsis’ case however, the subtleties and complexities of the duo becomes more and more apparent with each successive listen. That is why the lengthy songs hold one’s attention despite a base in raw and primitive black metal. From fast to slow, screeching speed to doomy acoustic the snowed men, which feature Thorne Erik of Thundra (who should dump that band and dedicate himself to TOK instead), succeed with apparent ease where other bands fail after either trying too hard or seeming a tad or two pretentious. Song titles like Funeral Moonlight or Symbols Of Winter might offer clues to the band’s sound although what Under Guds Hud is not immediately obvious. Raspy vocals, distorted guitars, howls to the Norse moon and blasted drums all make enough appearances to make An Eternal Dark Horizon pleasing to underground dwellers who like their album covers and associated photographs in black and white, but there is just that extra much there on the songs to make the band above average. - Ali “The Metallian”

THRONE OF KATARSIS - HELVETE - DET ISKALDE MØRKET - CANDLELIGHT  
It is abysmal that this pure black metal band (i.e. no K&F, no goth and no pop aspirations) has incorporated five tracks some lasting as much as 15 minutes and yet there is so little about the album that is remarkable. By that, one refers to the hope that the material breaks new ground in speed or heaviness, its poetic tribute to Satan or just general cleverness in the areas of impact, power, passion or blasphemic symbolism. The band is extreme, the lyrics are nihilistic, the artwork grim and the intentions indecent, but alas Throne Of Katarsis is at a dead-end. Candlelight is a haven for second-rate bands (and certainly pure rubbish like Abigail Williams or Sothis), but it is the ones that had potential that one regrets in some fashion.
Helvete - Det Iskalde Mørket is not purely bad of course. The material is extreme as mentioned; the lyrics reek of wickedness and the sight of Thor Erik and Vardalv with blood and spikes cry for mainstream shock. Moreover, the high screams show a little attention to the shaking of the cobwebs and Summoning The Horns has a couple of genuine bombastic moments. Yet, the song is the album’s fifth and last which translates into too little and too late. In a world where the listener has options like Dark Funeral, Immortal or Malfeitor it is tough justifying Throne Of Katarsis. – Ali “The Metallian”