Katharos – Of Lineages Long Forgotten
Release Date: 13th May 2022
Label: Willowtip Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Symphonic Black Metal
FFO: Dimmu Borgir, Emperor, Behemoth, 1914.
Review By: Rick Farley
Not unlike a lot of Black Metal these days, more bands are relying on the classic sounds of the nineties to influence their take on this infamous genre. Very much like the resurgence of OSDM the last few years, we are currently in the heart of a true darkness resurfacing. Symphonic Black Metal band Katharos, hailing from Sweden, offer up their own brand of majestic infernos and frost ridden soundscapes on the band’s sophomore release, Of Lineages Long Forgotten. It’s a fresh take on the classic symphonic Black Metal genre, with intricate yet unrelenting arrangements. Katharos unapologetically wear their influences on their sleeves. From early Emperor and Dimmu Borgir to adding elements of Melodic Death Metal, the band exalts the Scandinavian Black/Death sound with relentless fast-paced riffs, epic symphonic arrangements, eerie melodies and crushing drums. Katharos focuses on synth laden, progressive, and brutally aggressive chaos. Unlike the first wave or forefathers of Black Metal, this is not minimalistic in its approach. It’s grandiose, menacing, and aggressively complex.
Feigned Retreat carries an opening melody that is reminiscent of so many great bands. It’s remarkably familiar, but not a direct copy of any one song. It’s safe to say it’s a staple melody of the genre. It’s playful in a sinister way, each note picked in an exact manner, following the tempo ascending and descending into swirling guitar licks before repeating again. The sound is so iconic, it’s worth a mention. The verses take the melody and turn it upside down into symphonic swaths and frenetic guitars with a windswept essence. It feels alive, careening to a more purposeful crunchy chugging riff. The short but shreddy guitar solo leads into chords ringing out while mournful yet beautiful orchestral melodies create a wall of sound like angels only to be engulfed by the awaiting and returning darkness. Playful malicious energy, beastly double bass, and blast beats, thrashy riffs, ferocious tremolo picked chaos, stunning transitions of light to dark and just pure vocal mayhem.
Track six I Waged War, as the title suggests, is a furious reminder how savage Black Metal can be. It’s hyper wrath-imbued tremolo picked chaotic beginning keeps a frantic pace through the verse with choppy blasting and symphonic undertones. It rages aggressively in the most blackened fashion, twisting and turning into a thrashy stomp. Little bits of dark guitar melody lie just below the surface, creating a malicious uneasiness to the maelstrom of frenzied guitars and blasting drums. Ominous symphonic elements ring out in the background, frosty enough to chill your warm blood. It’s a whirlwind of blackness, smothering everything in its path. The raspy growls snarl and spew forth with violence. It blends in a militaristic imperial march type of riff towards the middle, adding more depth to the theme of the title and a slight reprieve from the punishing pace. It lurches to a thrashy riff with double bass and a synth orchestral melody to close it out. A stunning array of Black Metal in all its glorious splendour.
Latharos has an undeniable energy and bring a fresh mastery of the genre. They’re the embodiment of a modern band reincorporating a classic sound in an influential and respectful manner. The production here is tight and modern, but doesn’t sacrifice any intensity. Of Lineages Long Forgotten is an album that easily flows and will reward with multiple listens without compromise. Props to Willowtip Records for releasing this blazing slab of blackness. From grand to nightmarish to merciless and back again, I will be jamming this for a while. 
(4 / 5)
