This is a review of a split album between Singapore's Istidraj and As Sahar called "Conqueror Of Syonnan - To Part II" which was released by B.M.SS Productions and we will start off the review with Istidraj who return with a very raw, old school and blasphemous form of black metal.
Their side of the split starts out with some Eastern style chants and singing which evolve into high pitched black metal screams when the music goes into a heavier direction. During the faster sections of the songs a great amount of tremolo picking and blast beats can be heard which also gives their side of the recording more of a raw feeling.
Melodies can also be heard in some of the guitar riffing while the songs also add in a good mixture of slow, mid paced and fast parts. All of the music is also recorded live along with one track also adding in a brief use of synths and clean playing as well as the guitar solos and leads also being done in a very melodic style when they are utilized, all of the musical instruments also have a very powerful sound to them.
On this recording Istidraj takes their raw style of black metal to the live stage. the production sounds very dark and raw while the lyrics cover Blasphemy and Anti Abrahamic Religion themes.
In my opinion this is another great sounding recording from Istidraj and if you are a fan of raw, old school and blasphemous black metal, you should check out their side of the split. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Black Flags Of Khorason" and "Goat Fukkin' Sodomy".
Next up is As Shar who return with an old school and satanic style of black metal with songs that where originally released in 2003 as the demo "Devillation Masters".
Their side of the split starts out with a very dark, heavy and melodic sound while the songs are heavily rooted in the old school style. Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams along with the faster sections of the tracks also adding in a great amount of tremolo picking and blast beats which also gives the music more of a raw feeling.
When guitar leads are utilized they are also done in a very melodic style while one of the songs is an instrumental and also adds in a brief use of keyboards and the music sticks to either a mid tempo or fast direction, clear vocals are also added towards the end when the song adds in some slow sections.
On this recording As Sahar played a style of black metal that was very heavily rooted in the second wave era of the genre. The production sounds very dark an raw while the lyrics cover Satanism, Darkness and Evil themes.
In my opinion this was another great sounding recording from As Sahar and if you are a fan of old school satanic black metal, you should check out their side of the split. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Evil In Grace" and "Satan's Requittance".
In conclusion I feel this is a very great sounding split and I would recommend it to all fans of Asian black metal.
https://bmssproductions.bandcamp.com/album/bmss-cd04-as-sahar-istidraj-conqueror-of-syonan-to-part-ii
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