70%
Kato—Abyss EP (2023)
Details
Composed 2022. Recorded and mixed 2023. Mastered by Greg Chandler, Priory Recording Studios, 2023. Illustrations by Droll Meadow. Logo by Coffin Slave Art. Sample on Ruin : PSYWAR- Tape 2, 036AU0770. No Date, John Campbell Collection, Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive, Texas Tech University, accessed 3 May 2022. Released on Friday 24 November 2023
FFO: Funeral Mist, Ruins of Beverast, Deathspell Omega
Bandcamp | Encyclopaedia Metallum
Band
- Vocals, all instruments—George
- Session drums—Kevin Paradis
Tracks
- Stare (7:27)
- Pierce (6:34)
- Ruin (8:09)
- Dasein (6:33)
Review
Connecticut, USA-based black metal solo project, Kato returns with their second EP Abyss (2023).
Described as taking listeners on an emotional journey through four waves of twisting despair, track by track, layer by layer this release delves deeper into the abyss.
“Stare” (track 1) opens with a swarm of distorted guitars that crescendos towards a hat tip to Diamond Head’s “Am I Evil” riff before crashing away to a dark, black metal riff that swirls beneath growling vocals. The song has a bit of a reset a little after midway through with a two-chord riff that is remarkably reminiscent of the main riff from Whitesnake’s “Still of the Night”. Needless to say, it too slinks off into the darkness followed by a slow and sorrowful, wailing guitar solo that leads into a violent, crashing outro.
“Pierce” (track 2) begins with a slow and sparce, mournful riff that turns this song into something of an epic soundscape—an exploration of space and silence as much as dark riffs, crashing cymbals and the steady heartbeat of the drum kit.
Delving deeper into the abyss, “Ruin” (track 3) spends the first thirty seconds around a harrowing sound effect—in part electronic hum, in part the distant screams of those trapped in hell. This is interrupted by a rattling, drum-heavy passage with frantic arpeggiated guitars and gruff vocals. The track eventually opens up to a more melodic vista before slowing again, echoed vocals, an underwater sounding riff and steady hum. This is a disturbing and at times quite surreal track.
For those looking for a helping of more mainstream, chugging-style death metal, you’ll be delighted with “Dasein” (track 4) which feels quite upbeat and triumphant given the mire of sorrow that the previous three tracks have dragged us through. This is the most accessible track on the EP, the shortest (by one second) and my favourite.
Conclusion
This EP takes the listener on an interesting journey. The first three tracks do feel like they are dragging you deeper and deeper into an abysss—a deep, seemingly bottomless chasm. The final track feels quite different—almost victorious. Is that the nature of the abyss or an unexpected return? These four tracks last a little under half an hour—I’m not convinced this EP needs to be that long, particularly the final track.
All in all, though, this is an enjoyable delve into an epic black metal soundscape, and like good art it leaves you seeing the world a little differently afterwards. If you like your metal black, check it out.
Review score: 70%
Video
Disclosure
MDPR contacted me inviting me to preview Kato’s latest EP, thank you. I have no connections to either MDPR or Kato. I’m not being paid to review this, but I did get a free digital copy of the album to review which is pretty cool. Many thanks to Zach from MDPR, and to Kato for continuing to create fresh, exciting black metal.