Throat – Beyond the Devil’s Shroud (Possessed Occult Blackened Death Metal)
Yay, I remember these guys! And apparently part of the band is in Finland now or something, but who cares? If you’re into nihilistic, occult soul sacrifice, that’s the only thing that really matters. Last time I encountered Throat was over two years ago, and it’s great to see that they’re still depraved as hell and invaded by malicious entities. Poland’s one of my top picks for the metal underground these days, and Throat carries that mantel without even asking for it (also Finland I guess, depending on what in the hell is going on with their actual location). So how does their latest full-length, Beyond the Devil’s Shroud, fare?
If you’re looking for physicality, well that’s definite herein. Even Satan can die, apparently, and we need that level of nihilism to truly abandon all hope. The production this time around is abrasively powerful, with plenty of dissonant harmony hinting at the band’s blackened roots but never committing fully to the style. In fact, if there’s any fault to be found, it’s that they’re so tied up in confusing the listener at times where a melody would have done them good, they eschew it for atmosphere and forbidden lore. Yet, though there’s some bleeding of both sound and theme here, Throat still manage to build a tangible amount of dread throughout Beyond the Devil’s Shroud, with the vocals gesticulating like a possessed seer. This is extremely noticeable at certain points, such as within the last third of “Cain’s Mark,” where bizarre effects turn what was left of a human voice into a spectral manifestation of dread. These touches are what elevates this particular LP higher than it likely could have been, and give the band the name it so rightfully carries.
Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls
Throat – Beyond the Devil’s Shroud
Primitive Reaction
Cover Art: Igor Datkiewicz
4.3 / 5
