Kerasphorus "Cloven Hooves at the Holocaust Dawn" CD/10"/12"
Posted on Monday, March 29th, 2010 @ 6:04am » permalink
I somehow managed to have no idea that this band existed, but Kerasphorus is the latest outing from Pete Helmkamp (Order From Chaos, Angelcorpse, etc.), and "Cloven Hooves at the Holocaust Dawn" is the band's debut four-song EP (released on various formats over the last two months by Nuclear War Now! Productions). And this is easily his most focused and ferocious post-Angelcorpse work to date – forgoing the industrial/noise experimentation of projects like Terror Organ and Feldgrau for a return to absolutely blistering, "blackened" death metal. Expect Helmkamp's patented sneers and snarls over feverish tremolo picking riffs punctuated by gnashing, discordant note choices and the at times frantic percussive blasts of session drummer J. Read (Conqueror, Revenge, etc.). However, while all four songs blaze through in just about 19 minutes, and intense speed is the primary mode of attack, there are a number of quick breathers tossed around throughout – where hammering rhythms or strangely angular midpaced runs creep into place. Killer recording, too. I don't have a physical copy yet, but I'd of course be curious to see the lyrics (assuming they're included), as Helmkamp's work in that realm is always intriguing (if at times "controversial"). From what portions I can decipher I'm guessing the approach/content hasn't changed a great deal. Since the EP's so short, here's an excerpt to give you an idea of what's in store:
Kerasphorus "Disturb the Furthest Stars" (excerpt)
The 12" "die hard" edition comes with a patch and a sticker, and it appears that all three formats have slight variations in cover art, so take your pick… or mix and match if you're a collector!
Purchase:
@ Nuclear War Now! Productions (CD)
@ Nuclear War Now! Productions (10")
@ Nuclear War Now! Productions (12")
Helmkamp is untouchable and incapable of delivering non-win. VERY fucking appreciated to hear him back in this form. Also album title is probably the greatest I've seen in about ten years.
You need to write more about BM. I want Blodstarid (or smth. :) ) back! :)
the lyrics to the excerpt
glorious apotheosis or apocalypse
bleak ouroboros
past and present are as one
channeling the blood of martyrs
give to malediction
self-immolation chants
subjection nihilism
pathways to illumination
burn the phoenix forth
a final dawn a final path
bones to ash
traverse the gulf of twilight
deep into abyss
a soul seared to a husk
thirsting sarcophagus
rekindled with curdled hate
unlife unhallowed
self destruction be thy name
disturb the furthest stars
ten thousand lucifers
striving to become the light
alone in utter darkness
living to destroy the light
traverse the gulf of twilight
deep into abyss
black sun manifest
temples of derision
occluded configuration
inherit the bleeding earth
a kingdom of sacrifice
burst to flame
behold a tower
a palace grasping the heavens
our ashes become
Brutal shit. I will probably pick this up. Anything with J. Reed is pure destruction.
The song on the myspace fucking slays. I love when bands that have that blackened death thing going have hard sounding bass that is audible. It is a rare thing.
Thanks for bringing Helmkamp's latest t my attention.
I wish I got sent death and black metal promos.
this is so good it sounds like it couldve come out in the mid 90s
I seriously need to get on this. Thanks for the reminder!
It's a shame that this project ended so suddenly.