VROLOK -

KULT OV AZAZEL/VROLOK - Split - ARCTIC  
Kult Ov Azazel is up to its usual no-compromise blasting black metal here even if the songs are a collection of older/unreleased/live tracks from the early part of this decade. The group blasts forth - especially drummer Hammer who presumably was already in the band during these recordings - with as little subtlety as possibly. A Sodom cover of Blasphemer is a dime a dozen nevertheless. Vrolok is new to me and more nuanced despite the clear no to bestial early sounds of Darkthrone and Hellhammer. A keyboard into starts things badly, yet the band soon comes out swinging with a prominent bass guitar sound as well as references to Pan-thy-monium. Remarkable artwork on the album’s cover of course helps. - Anna Tergel