By: Mark Ambrose
Album Type: EP
Date Released: 31/10/2017
New Jersey’s Vantafrost is an old school black metal quartet, riding
a fine line between first wave primalism and second wave speed crust. Time will tell whether they reach the insane
heights of Celtic Frost or Darkthrone, but on their debut they manage to meld
their ancestor worship with some genuine originality, and blast out some killer
metal along the way.
“Dispossessed” CD//DD track listing
1. Nazgul
2. Dark Hammer
3. Demon’s Breath
4. Lead Pumper
The Review:
In the States, black metal continues to
entrance newcomers and seasoned metal heads alike, especially in various hybrid
forms and blackened amalgamations. A lot
of this stuff is really interesting and challenging, and occasionally, it
actually rips. New Jersey’s Vantafrost is an old school black metal quartet, riding a
fine line between first wave primalism and second wave speed crust. On their debut EP, “Dispossessed”, they eschew too much experimentalism and instead
offer a lo-fi homage that occasionally betrays compelling musical influences
(beyond their beloved Tom Warrior).
Few topics are as ripe for black metal
adaptation as J.R.R. Tolkien’s blighted denizens of Mordor. Whether orcs, trolls, or the dark lord
himself, the demonic entities of Lord of the Rings are practically embedded in
the DNA of black metal. Vantafrost’s “Nazgul”
is a thoroughly menacing, literal retelling of the story of the ringwraiths,
propelled by crusty drumming, Hellhammer-reminiscent riffs, and subtle guitar
harmonies. Sun King’s strange cadence,
sometimes reminiscent of Attila Csihar, clutters and spreads over the verses –
a weird enjambment of syllables that is memorable, if an acquired flavor it
takes several listens to fully absorb.
“Dark Hammer” has
some solid first wave riffing, occasionally stuttering over idiosyncratic
rhythms, but coalesces around a switch to 6/8 time and a solid outro. “Demon’s
Breath” is practically a hardcore number, with a particularly smashing bass
tone. There is an insane, warped effect
on the vocal that can be unpleasantly or pleasantly disorienting – you may find
yourself wondering if you’re on the verge of an aneurysm. Closer “Lead
Pumper”, however, is a righteous finale, soaring on some brutally catchy
progressions and snarling vocals.
Another pop culture homage (this time to the classic demonic first
person shooter DOOM), “Lead Pumper”
manages to slip some personal anguish into an ass kicking track, lending some
emotional heft that should be explored more on their next release.
Vantafrost isn’t reinventing the wheel, but they manage
to infuse some life into the skeleton conjured by Hellhammer and their lo fi
cohort. Like the Swiss pioneers, their
EP is a warts and all affair. Time will
tell whether they reach the insane heights of Celtic Frost
or Darkthrone, but on their debut they manage
to meld their ancestor worship with some genuine originality, and blast out
some killer metal along the way.
“Dispossessed” is
available here
