Churchacide / Plaque Swarm – Eschatological Retaliation
Texas / USA
Antichriconoclast Productions
I had a chance to listen to this killer split a few times over the weekend (whether I was running errands or just listening to music) and I just want to say right off the bat that this is one murderous fucking split from start to finish. The split will be released by members of Churchacide’s own label called Antichriconoclast Productions (good luck pronouncing that!) which specialises in releasing material related to the members’ respective outputs.
Both bands hail from Texas, and first up on this split is Churchacide, presenting us with a total of 7 tracks containing feral, crude old-school death metal with raspy vocals reminiscent of Pete Helmkamp. The music is predominantly mid-paced with faster sections interspersed throughout. The production is clear and sharp, which gives the music extra bite. Guitars are frenetic and well-executed, consisting of first-rate riffs and solos sharp enough to split your brain in two, while the drums are also good, but retains a kind of sloppiness that adds to the charm of the music. The bass is heavy and noticeable in the mix, which is nice. Overall, the performance from Churchacide is fucking solid. Favourite track: Imammolation
Plaque Swarm dominates the next half of the split and offers up a clangorous whirl of evil and hypnotic black/death metal, with a sound redolent of bands like Dead Congregation, Death Worship, and Perdition Temple. The atmosphere is massive and filthy, which hovers over the listener like a cloud of destructive darkness. The ambiance is decidedly dark and full of sinister cadences due to the droning wall of sound created by the guitars and ridiculously fast drums. The vocals are very fitting for this style: crude, deep and menacing. The skull-fucking sonic assault of Plaque Swarm is definitely not for sissies and will appeal only to real maniacs, and perhaps even serial killers. Favourite track: Spectre of Doom
You really have to be in the mood for this kind of heavy, merciless black/death, because the brutality of this split will knock you flat. Both bands come highly recommended to maniacs into proper metal. (HT)