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khonsu anomalia
Artist: Khonsu
Title: Anomalia
Genre: Blackened Progressive Metal
Release Date: 24th August 2012
Label: Season Of Mist


Album Review

KHONSU’s debut ‘Anomalia’ is a fresh air of Black Metal. Some may recognize vocalist Thebon from KEEP OF KALESSIN from his audible snarl, but this side project stretches much farther than his other band. Alongside instrumentalist Gronbech, the duo unleash a highly progressive piece that is symphonic, dark, and haphazard that will appeal to fans of more avant-garde Black Metal artists like DODECAHEDRON and even DODHEISMGARD. Despite only being seven tracks, ‘Anomalia’ features many epics that span past seven minutes. Some tracks like ‘In Otherness’ feature more of a KEEP OF KALESSIN style with the bursts of guitars and heavy use of keyboards for a symphonic backing, but there are other parts that are distinctly more electronic influenced and feel more progressive such as the rather repetitive, yet very intriguing acoustic section with the spoken word parts. Other tracks like ‘The Host’ are even more progressive and feature clean vocals- a very first for Thebon it seems and he delivers quite well, making fans wonder if the combination would be possible with KEEP OF KALESSIN.

Other epics like ‘Inhuman States’ are a bit faster and feature less breathing room; these are the more heavier Black Metal influenced tracks. Of course, here and there KHONSU will deliver surprising moments such as a clean classical piano sound and even female choirs that sound like ghosts swept away by the winds of guitar. Overall though, those who are seeking fully fledged Black Metal that sounds closest to KEEP OF KALESSIN will want to enjoy this track. The album’s massive epic- ‘Va Shai’- lives up as a great way to close the album; it doesn’t even sound like Black Metal at all. Here, Thebon uses his clean vocals and electronic influences as much as possible, creating a very ethereal sound for KHONSU that feels more like it would fit in the vein of recent IHSAHN. This is probably KHONSU at its best progressive, though the haphazard style of going between clean melodic singing, throaty gurgles of spoken words, and harsh snarls might be a bit too much for the average listener who just wants something straightforward to listen to. Still, for the more avant-garde fan, this is quintessential. Overall, the album delivers versatility without feeling like a random mess, and the experiments by Thebon and co. are well thought and delivered; KEEP OF KALESSIN fans will enjoy too.


Tracklist

01. In Otherness - 9:12
02. The Host - 7:47
03. Darker Days Coming - 6:27
04. Inhuman States - 9:22
05. So Cold - 6:03
06. The Malady - 5:29
07. Va Shia (Into The Spectral Sphere) - 14:01


Line-up

S. Grønbech- All instruments
Thebon- Vocals


Website

http://www.soundsofkhonsu.com/


Cover Picture

khonsu anomalia


Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 9
Total: 9 / 10





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