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Among black metal fans there is an ongoing discussion about the proper role of keyboards. While some are opposed to it outright, others point to the tasteful and limited use bands like Burzum and Graveland in an effort to show that keyboards can be a positive element in black metal. On “Hunger of Elements” (perhaps an attack on Aristotelian physics?) Kataxu seems to ignore the debate altogether, giving free reign to their keyboard use (in fact, of the four musicians credited on this album, three play keyboards).
That is not to say, however, that Kataxu is at all in the same genre as Dimmu Borgir or other melodic black metal bands. There are no “industrial” elements, no chugging guitars, computerized vocals or samples. The musical base is very traditional black metal drumming and modest buzzing guitars. And from this base there is built an incredible and at times pompous symphonic sound. If I had to compare them to another band, I would say Limbonic Art, although Kataxu certainly have less of a high-camp approach.
“Hunger of Elements” is structured in six songs, tracks 1, 3, and 5 being normal metal songs, each followed by an ambient track. The song titles also show a careful arrangement: the first two metal songs are called “In My Dungeon” and “Bellow the Tree of Life,” followed by the ambient songs “In Arms of the Astral World” and “Nightsky,” presenting a juxtaposition of subterranean constriction and ultimate expansion. These elements are apparently united in the two final songs, “The Manifesto of the Unity” and “The Breath of Atlantis.” This is an ideal demonstration of one of black metal’s greatest achievements, the conflation of agonizing constraint and glorious excess, both musically and emotionally. To have an album with artwork depicting celestial phenomena and begin with a song called “In My Dungeon” speaks of either a cunning or accidental design; either way the effect is the same. The songs are epic in length and also demonstrate competent arrangement, evoking an at times exhilarating mystical excitement. Fans of serious and cold symphonic black metal will find much to admire on this release.
| Tracklist |
| 1. In My Dungeon |
| 2. In Arms Of The Astral World |
| 3. Below The Tree Of Life |
| 4. Nightsky |
| 5. The Manifesto Of The Unity |
| 6. The Breath Of Atlantis |
: 48.27
| Buy other Kataxu albums |
