Thomas Bergli aka Sarke (Khold, Tulus, ex-Old Man's Child) who plays bass on this album started this group and what began as a one-man outfit would eventually change to a full line-up and it's a significant one. Also comprising of vocalist Nocturno Culto (Darkthrone), guitarist Steinar Gundersen (Satyricon, Spiral Architect), keyboardist Anders Hunstad (El Caco, Autopulver) and drummer Asgeir Mickelson (Spiral Architect, ex-Borknagar).
The latest venture into the darkness from this metal band is titled Aruagint, and follows Vorunah (2009) and Oldarhian (2011), Sarke take inspiration from leading metal acts including Mayhem, Slayer, Celtic Frost, Motorhead and Black Sabbath. Sarke aren't locked into one style there is variation on Aruagint, and this is far from a lightweight metal album with songs like "Jodau aura" a slow potent brooding number. Neither is Aruagint the intense blast fest kind of recording one may be anticipating to hear. Aruagint has a dark brooding feel throughout much of its duration and doesn't feature your modern over polished sound it's more old-school vibe if anything and that suits just fine.
Vocals are reminiscent of the style of Abbath Doom Occulta's, who is of course lead vocalist of the black metal group Immortal and like that dark metal group the guitar input on Aruagintg is also very engaging. Actually speaking of Abbath this album does in part make think of the excellent album Between Two Worlds as it was by another talented Norwegian supergroup called I which he was part of that was also influenced by Motorhead amongst others.
With hefty riffs and robust drumming "Jaunt of the obsessed" gets Aruagint underway, the music on this one is so compelling that heavy rocking feel hits the mark, there is a rare increase of tempo for track three the punkish "Ugly". The alluring guitar groove of "Strange pungent odyssey" certainly draws you in and it gets better on "Icon Usurper", those additional double kicks create a almighty feel on this slow memorable number.
What this Norwegian group have recorded here should appeal to a wide audience there is a lot to like about Aruagint.
Track Listing
1. Jaunt of the obsessed
2. Jodau aura
3. Ugly
4. Strange pungent odyssey
5. Walls of Ru
6. Salvation
7. Skeleton Sand
8. Icon Usurper
9. Rabid Hunger
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