Escarnium – Through The Depths of The 12th Gate

Escarnium

Through The Depths of The 12th Gate

by Will Travers at 07 May 2022, 1:10 PM

After a six year gap since their sophomore album “Interitus” those Brazilian Death Metallers, ESCARNIUM, have returned with a short but sweet two track EP. Titled “Through The Depths Of The 12^th Gate” it promises to be a downright intense and grimy affair. I can’t wait! Looking at the artwork I feel like this is going to live up to my expectations, so let’s get stuck in.

Opening is the title track, “Through The Depths Of The 12^th Gate” and instantly you can hear that intensity I was wanting. Thick walls of riffage, impenetrable drum tracking and such an aggressive vocal line makes for a dark and foreboding listen. But away in the back tracking, some little articulations to develop the music past the sheer impact and create an overbearing atmosphere of suspense and dread. The solo is utterly delectable, as the entire track picks up pace to come to a breathless flurry of aggression and sharpness building toward the sudden ending. Wow.

Then we have the cover, now we all know AMORPHIS here; but we should not really be comparing this to the original as any good cover worth its salt will put its own stamp on it, make it its own. And I for one cannot wait to see what ESCARNIUM does to “Pilgrimage From Darkness”.

Its clear from the offset that the intensity we have seen from the duo is continuing through. The energy and enthusiasm is, seemingly, unable to wane and the delivery is impeccable. Whilst it can be placed if listened with the original, it is safe to say that ESCARNIUM have managed to make this track their own and provide a new take on a superb song.

Overall, well there isn’t too much to say is there? An original and a cover track. Both discernibly belonging to ESCARNIUM, they have their own sound, a high production value and should be immensely proud of this. If this is a sign for things to come then I for one will be waiting with bated breath for the next release.

Songwriting: 8
Originality: 9
Memorability: 9
Production: 9