'Awaiting Eschaton' is the second strike of malevolent black metal from this Irish one-man band. The band is still young and in the middle of evolution and has no eschaton (something like "the end of days") in sight.

Diabolicus' self-titled debut demo from 2008 offered some atmospheric yet savage black metal, but was made in "bed room" style (with drums machine utilized). For this EP the frontman Chainsawgutsfuck played, or acquired someone to play, the drums. As expected, the result is more organic. However, it is also very chaotic, thanks to the drums which are more or less off tempo during a good part. This is not a good thing, even though we are talking about raw black metal.

The title track begins with sounds of swords battle, and the promised atmosphere is met. Buzzing vocals and guitar are backed with powerless drums (also in sound). The recording features a lot of electric crackle everywhere. The song build up with ominous melody, which takes turns with a faster part before the ending part. The song is a very simple composition. The rest of the songs follow this formula: Black metal, at times cold Norse style or more punkier and then bits of malicious melodiousness.

The songs are too sloppily performed, but still the energy and the anger can be sensed from it. The production another big failure. Diabolicus has good ideas all around, but the execution is appalling. If you can live with a non-existing production, give it a try if the style is right what you want.

Rating: 4 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
05/03/2010 21:50