Xasthur - To Violiate The Oblivious
Total Holocaust Records

file under black/pagan metal

Carl: This is the second CD of Xasthur released in the year 2004. This prompts me to compare it with 'Telepathic With The Deceased'. On first hearing 'To Violate The Oblivious' contains a little less alienating sounds. The recording does show the characteristic sound of Malefic; noisy and atmospheric. Extremely distorted guitars, solid drumming and a not so striking bass sound. The incidental use of synthesizer is very subtly woven into the rest of the instruments. The lyrics are screamed with vigorous devotion over the music, but fortunately it lies very well in the mix. On the whole the CD is mixed very well. The tempo of the songs is relatively low, which creates a tragic dragging character. The guitar melodies have a hypnotizing macabre power. Malefic seems like a sombre angry person, who is very disappointed with the world around himself. Now that I have listened to some more of Malefic's recordings I can change my assumption into a founded conclusion. On the basis of four CDs (yes indeed, I buy CDs!!! but that is a different discussion) I can say that his sound does not change. Each record practically sounds the same as the last one. This means that that I have not yet bought a bad record, as each one of them sound alike. I do ask myself how long Malefic will hold this up. Let him continue with this music for now.

Rating 75/100 (details)

http://xasthur.mercurous.net