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SARCOPHAGUM
Conduits To The Underworld EP

Nuclear Winter (2022)
Rating: 8/10

Arguably boasting some of the darkest, deepest vocals within the genre, this Sydney, Australia-based hellish concoction is the side-project of members from the equally obscure Golgothan Remains.

Combining black and death metal aesthetics, Conduits To The Underworld is one of the year’s finest extreme metal releases; a dark, menacing three-track debut EP that creeps in utterly sinister fashion and throws a pitch black cloak over the listener.

There’s not necessarily a doomy streak within this release, just the fact that the tone is so full of dread, and that’s before those evil vocal slurs introduce themselves. Rather than relying on heavyweight cosmic slop, or anything remotely ethereal, Sarcophagum has just found a blackened death niche that as the opening chords of ‘Netherengines’ showcases, is somewhat stark, remote and thorny, and rarely is any sort of pace required to deliver such unembellished designs. Deep within the framework is a persistent melodious drive, and it’s here where the black metal spine reveals itself.

‘Between Two Worlds’ is the most chaotic and hasty track on the EP, but even then it feels angular, prickly and abrasive, almost offering up a Mayhem-styled threat until it shifts into a foreboding mid-paced chill. Again, the vocals are what really set this offering apart whether the mysterious trio chooses to play fast or slow, but anyone with a penchant for obscure, grim black / death should latch onto this despicable tirade.

Neil Arnold

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