IMMOLITH - Hymns To The Countess

 Immolith,  are a black metal band from U.S.A,  which recently released their first EP, containing  three compositions, entitled Hymns to the Countess. It is a rather mediocre effort.
\r\n     In particular, in this EP, Immolith perform old – school black metal (of the early ‘90s and past), in which war riffing prevails. Hymns to the Countess is a release structured on clear, at times down – tempo ( e.g. the Ghost Town of Inervness’ intro tiff),at others up – tempo/ faster riffing; even melodic black characteristics are spottable at the second composition, Slaughter of Legions ( 2:13 and on). The compositions’ riffology is satisfying, however, in no case one is rendered speechless or a notable innovation is spotted.
\r\n     This EP’s mediocrity though, is first and foremost concerning its very own production/ sound. The Hymns to the Countess, following the established Norwegian black metal models, features the well – known shitty sound. On the other hand though, one gets the feeling that this EP is actually a recorded rehearsal! The instruments’ volumes are completely messy and unstable, shambling. For example, during Slaughter of Legions, Warhead’s drumming is unjustifiably loud in comparison to the hypotonic guitars, which are only heard in the background, in a sense.
\r\n     Concerning the technique, this is extremely weak, a fact that, at first, serves no problems. When it comes to soloing though, this technical poverty emerges and especially when it comes to the so - called expressive techniques ( e.g. vibrato), the result is monstrous. Putting the soloing aside, there is a bass performance, indifferent enough to make you forget there is a bass having been recorded! The drumming though offers more advantages than the trouble it causes. Isiamon and Warhead share the vocal duties (the drummer is the main vocalist); the vocals are sheer, excluding a rotting aesthetic. I guess it is the way it “should” be. Their lyrics never reached my cognizance, the concept though, is an actual tribute to black metal’s most notorious Countess, Elizabeth Bathory.
\r\n    In general terms, Hymns to the Countess equals mediocre American black metal, in which amateurism prevails, thus, it is so not highly recommended. It’s about good ideas performed in an a way to be avoided.
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