The most popular representatives of heavy metal from Trollhättan, Sweden are The Crown, and the next generation of metal bands is on its way. Sarcator is also from Trollhättan, and after starting out as Metal Militia in 2014, the guys changed their band name to Sarcator in 2018.
The self-titled debut hit the shelves in 2020 and, together with the second release called “Alkahest”, served as a springboard for signing a deal with Century Media. The first release from this new collaboration is titled “Swarming Angels and Flies”, a nine-song statement for fierce heavy metal.
“Burning Choir” is the album’s opener and the aggressiveness of this album is evident from the first note. Sarcator play furious thrash metal with a blackened soul. Speed and frontman Mateo Tervonen with his barking vocals are key elements of Sarcator’s sound, which also provides the backbone for the smashing “Comet of End Times”.
But Sarcator’s music has a broader base than just speed. The album also contains songs like “Where the Void Begins”. The track starts off semi-acoustically, while spreading its oppressive heaviness that slowly increases before the song develops into a moderately paced metal anthem.
Equipped with a pounding beat, the tune gives you goosebumps, which also has something to do with Tervonen’s hoarse vocals. While listening to the song I was reminded of bands like Sodom, not because of the music itself, but because of the intensity of the song.
“Closure”, which isn’t the last track on the album, is done with a similar approach. Sarcator manage to create a pleasant feeling of discomfort. Starting slow and acoustic, the song spreads a vibe of impending evil that gets closer and closer. By the way, the song is an instrumental, which shows the musical skills of all involved. On the other hand, “Closure” also demonstrates the four-piece’s ability to create an atmosphere without vocals, which are rather present in the other songs on this album.
“Swarming Angels and Flies” reflects the sound of a band that has an ardent desire for raging and untamed metal. Together with a blackened soul the guys release a storming album that does not know the word ‘compromise’. These songs hit you right in the face.
Tracklist:
- Burning Choir
- Comet of End Times
- Swarming Angels & Flies
- The Deep Ends
- Where the Void Begins
- The Undercurrent
- Closure
- Unto Sepulchres
- Dogfight (cover – originally by Anti Cimex)*
- The Black Vomit (cover – originally by Sarcófago*
- Torture (cover – originally by Sadus)*
*Bonus track on Ltd. CD Jewelcase in O-Card only
Label: Century media
Genre: Blackened Thrash Metal
Release Date EU: January 17th, 2025
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