If you’ve ever been in a position of power that requires you to sift through a dictionary-thick pile of resumes, Ulthar would be the candidate that instead offers a cover letter, three recommendations, and a pristinely polished curriculum vitae.

 

 

The forward-thinking, ever-ambitious trio have opted to release both their third and fourth records simultaneously, one culminating in eight tracks and the other consisting of only two which still pack a 40-plus minute runtime – the former, Anthronomicon, the latter, Helionomicon, and both via 20 Buck Spin.

 

As daunting as this all might sound from a fan’s perspective, fear not. Anthronomicon is ruthlessly versatile in both its delivery and instrumentations, a true wealth of unique approaches. And Helionomicon isn’t any less consumable or engaging. The tie that binds these two efforts together is unadulterated, raw intensity. The kind of intensity that leaves listeners insatiably wanting. Not only are there notes of fierce black metal; complexity is constantly in the picture either at the forefront or nestled in the corner.

 

Production is solidified by foggy, muffled muck and mystifying, sonic soundscapes. A furious wall of sonic chaos (‘Saccades’) is as commonplace as faded-to-the-point-of-being-trippy machinations. ‘Astranumeral Octave Chants’ is a fancy way of saying ‘this track is akin to shaving your legs with a cheese grater.’

 

 

Justin Ennis decimates his drums like his life literally depends on it, and the animalistic vocal tandem provided by Steve Peacock and Shelby Lermo becomes wispily cacophonous. The lyrical deliveries are never less than cataclysmic. The riffing aspires to be nothing less than vertigo-inducing. And, somehow, Ulthar is able to house everything under the same roof. Continuity mingles with freshness. Futuristic-sounding lasers (‘Helionomicon’) are just as welcomed as aggressive, bare-knuckled axework.

 

This group has every right in the world to lay off the gas for many years to come after this all-encompassing anthology. But I also wouldn’t put it past them to answer Anthronomicon and Helionomicon with a triple-release. If any band could pull that off, it’s Ulthar.

 

Buy the album here:

https://www.20buckspin.com/collections/ulthar

 

8 / 10

MATT COOK