Carved Cross / Belzebuth (Australia) - S/T (Split 2022)

Wildly unexpected and one of the best surprises late this year, Death Hymns delivered this gem of a split between two “modern“ classic acts of the Australian Raw Black Metal scene, and two which certainly left their mark on Black Metal for this century. Hailing from Tasmania, we have Carved Cross. A band that should need no introduction, delivering their unique style of Raw Black Metal for 10 years now, despite involvement in older, seminal bands of the Tasmanian scene, always at a very prolific rate. This year was a bit slower than recent years on the Carved Cross camp, only delivering one track on the tremendous “Domains of the Deceased“ compilation, the already announced split with Thy Dark Luminary, and now this excellent track closing in on 20 minutes. We are embraced by what Carved Cross does best, a foggy, slow dirge into darkened woods, in the for of mid-paced Raw Black Metal melancholy, carried by droning, simplistic riffage and primitive drumming, always carrying the beat of negativity and monothony. Something to please adepts of their self-titled album and “The Yawning Abyss of Perdition“, although with a tad more variety in composition and drumming style. On the other side of this split, we are disgraced by the dazzling and surprising return of Belzebuth. Or a return of sorts, since this is an actually older, unreleased recording, and the project’s last according to the label. Hailing from Victoria, Belzebuth has gained more visibility in the last few years, with various compilations being released on respected labels, but this project was actually around when the initial boom in Australian Raw Black Metal came to be, in the early 00’s, releasing a series of self-released demos between 2007 and 2009, and later one EP and splits with respected artists with similar vision, before dissolving in 2011. On this recording, we’re delivered what Belzebuth does best. On a similar tradition as their early demos, I’d say maybe closest to “Konaste Belastorn“ above all, we enter the void of malignant sorcery and ecstatic entrancement. Close to 20 minutes of intoxicating, dark and genuine evil Black Metal, inspired on the fine traditions layed by Belkètre or Dzlvarv, Belzebuth casts a swirling spiral into satanic insanity, through the form of dissonant walls of acrid stringed madness, pulsating bass and shamanic percussion. A song that slowly turns into an Dark Ambient omen as it crosses into the second half, surely to work better in total darkness. Released on 12’’ vinyl through the impeccable Death Hymns. Death Hymns: Tracklist: 1 Carved Cross - Untitled 00:00 2 Belzebuth - Untitled 19:04 All rights belong to Carved Cross, Belzebuth and Death Hymns. Video will be deleted upon request.