text: Dawid Krosnia
Sarkom
Anti-Cosmic Art
Dark Essence Records
December 2nd, 2016
As this year comes to an end, we can easily say that we’ve been spoiled with a great amount of new music, in particular with black metal records. I’m massively overwhelmed and impressed with the quality of black metal these days. This genre has evolved in many different ways and every band is trying to put their own spin on things. Sarkom’s Anti-Cosmic Art is an album I’ve been waiting for with huge anticipation. The previous Doomsday Elite record created a new path for Erik and his band mates. I haven’t heard anyone complaining about that record, instead it was a well complemented offering across the media which I think it opened a few doors for the band in the last few years.
Anti-Cosmic Art was released several weeks ago by the Dark Essence Records. The album contains six new songs and one Sodom cover song. Not sure if someone stepped on the bands toe’s before but the first song called Previous Associates, Now as Targets for the Gun is totally directed at someone. Who knows who? I’ll be definitely asking Erik next time I see him face to face. From the first moments of the album you get the instant feeling that you are dealing with highly qualified Norwegian assassin that is not taking any prisoners. Beautifully written songs with many interesting tempo changes. Only Norwegians mastered to perfection the technique of combining typical black metal riffs with rock & roll influences. Anti-Cosmic Art continues with what we could experience from Sarkom’s previous records. Highly addictive and very catchy tunes. I’m sure that Mind-Abscess will have a place on the future setlist for the next live rituals. Ruiners of Our Family Tree is a just over two and half minute experimental song, interesting yet very different from what we could experience before but a great break before my favourite track on this album, Seen Through the Eyes of a Pedophile Priest. That song had its premier back in March this year on the limited edition EP released by the Folter Records. The track begins with church bells and transforms to fast but atmospheric and carefully engineered song that will make you stop whatever you’re doing and will channel your focus and thoughts on things that matter… darker things. Excellent offering from start to finish. Come, Dear Cancer is another strange yet very pleasing proposition that includes a lot of different musical influences. The Alfahanne’s alfapocalyptic frontman makes a guest appearance in this song to make things more awesome. Black Metal Necrophilia starts with a slow headbanging riff and suddenly transforms to fast and blasphemous typical playing but the mood changes again with the best riff on the record. If that’s not enough for you, the last song on the record is Sodom’s Sodomy and Lust. I have this cover song on repeat all the time. Day and night! Sarkom absolutely smashed it. Lyrically and musically this song fits Anti-Cosmic Art perfectly. Erik’s vocals are insane!
Personally, I think this is probably one of the best black metal records of this year. Anti-Cosmic Art has balls, big ones! If you’re up for some perverted blasphemous Norwegian metal, this album will give you the best orgasmic experience you’ve ever hoped for. I think, I can easily say that the Anti-Cosmic Art is the modern classic of the very respected modern Norwegian black metal scene. Check it out for yourselves. You’ll know that I’m right! Get it and indulge in Sarkom’s sodomy and lust!
THE GOAT TAVERN 