Panzerfaust - The Suns Of Perdition - Chapter II: Render Unto Eden review
| Band: | Panzerfaust |
| Album: | The Suns Of Perdition - Chapter II: Render Unto Eden |
| Style: | Black metal, Post-metal |
| Release date: | August 28, 2020 |
| A review by: | Troy Killjoy |
01. Promethean Fire
02. The Faustian Pact
03. Areopagitica
04. The Snare Of The Fowler
05. Pascal's Wager
While emphasis on atmosphere has played a significant role in the evolution of extreme metal's progression, so too has the balance between accessibility and exclusivity.
The relentless pursuit of growth and willingness to adapt to change on behalf of black metal musicians has led to some mesmerizing music over the years, culminating in the formation of bands that continue to push the envelope in terms of where the genre can thrive. Panzerfaust is one such band. Their unique approach, though developed under heavy influence -- whether intentional or not -- by the likes of Rosetta, Akercocke, Deathspell Omega, and Ulcerate, explores the various aspects of post-metal and death metal, incorporating a high degree of technical songwriting and crushing atmosphere. Further examination reveals a groovy, exhilarating depth hiding beneath the swirling riffs and bombastic drum work, adding layers of variation and engaging elements to not only keep you interested throughout its 45 minute duration, but also to entice you back for repeat listens. It's demanding and challenging when analyzed for its intricacies and subtle details, but forgiving and digestible from the outset for those who don't need to look beyond hypnotic melodies and gloomy ambiance.
Render Unto Eden is the second chapter of The Suns of Perdition, with its predecessor released just a year prior, but it follows and flows along the same format, with perhaps a slight improvement in regards to how surprisingly catchy it can be. The quick tempo and intensity of Alexander Kartashov's drumming is perfectly suited for the album's serious vibe, and his destructive cymbal crashes lend a nice touch to an otherwise predominantly bass-centric performance. Equally important, of course, are the riffs. The bulk of the guitar load focuses mainly on the creation of mood and tone, thereby mitigating the quantity, but the recurring structure of each song establishes a sound that is most accurately described as cataclysmic, absorbed more so as motif rather than repetition -- a fine line on which to play, but whose execution is flawlessly delivered. Fortifying this already monstrous cacophony is the immense and terrifying vocal performance of the aptly nicknamed Tom "Goliath" Remigio, providing a rich density with a hearty range befitting of the beastly Neurosis as much as the ghastly Taake. It also helps that the lines he delivers are exceptionally well written, courtesy of Brock "Kaizer" Van Dijk's poetic expression of religious themes relating to death, suffering, and the tribulations of life that man must endure, such as the impulse to commit acts of evil in direct defiance of God (the yetzer hara). It all blends together so seamlessly, like a waterfall of lava bleeding from the night sky, showering the cursed populace below.
Panzerfaust may be taking the scenic route on the path to becoming a household name in the scene, but their ongoing development is deserving of mass observation and admiration, as their consistent outpouring of quality content is something of a rarity. Bask in the flames of hate spewed forth by this portal to evil and succumb to its dark and tormenting influence. You won't regret it.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 10 |
| Songwriting: | 10 |
| Originality: | 7 |
| Production: | 10 |
 | Written on 03.11.2020 by I'm total pro; that's what I'm here for. |
Comments
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Comments: 32
Visited by: 210 users
| tintinb Posts: 2022 |
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| RaduP CertifiedHipster Staff Posts: 9027  |
For the longest time I was under the impression that these guys were Polish tbh
---- Do you think if the heart keeps on shrinking One day there will be no heart at all?
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| HarryKawaiiDesu Posts: 56  |
I saw this band once after the release of Chapter I, really nice guys, glad to see them getting bigger.
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374  |
Damn, this is sounding pretty excellent (no kidding about the drums...) and I know nothing of this band. Guess I'll have some digging to do. Thank for the review!
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306  |
Written by tintinb on 03.11.2020 at 06:15 I absolutely love it but I also don't want it to become the next metalgaze where it becomes saturated with soundalikes within a few years. If it's a sound restricted to a few bands that maintain this level of quality, that would be ideal.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by RaduP on 03.11.2020 at 11:04 They're based in Mississauga which is a large municipality not too far from where I live (five or take 50km) but their last names and lyrical themes suggest an Orthodox Jewish background (the city also has a significant Jewish population), so Ukraine, Poland, and Russia are all potential birth places.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by HarryKawaiiDesu on 03.11.2020 at 11:20 You lucky bastard. I only caught wind of them late last year with the first chapter of this but haven't had a chance to catch them live. They're relatively local though, so I should manage to hit up a show at some point in the future once this virus nonsense blows over.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by X-Ray Rod on 03.11.2020 at 13:13 The drums are fantastic but this is honestly the kind of album where each aspect of the musicianship is worth its own breakdown. They all do a phenomenal job and you can tell they're not only practiced with their instruments, but also with each other. The drummer only joined last year and they sound this tight already. It's incredible.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| chomskeet Posts: 194  |
This and Esoctrilihum are my two favorite BM releases so far this year, I was pleased to see your positive review of this album since it definitely deserves more recognition!
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| nikarg Staff Posts: 7345  |
Written by chomskeet on 03.11.2020 at 19:34 Same here.
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| Silent Creeper Senile Veteran Posts: 301  |
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| chomskeet Posts: 194 |
Written by nikarg on 03.11.2020 at 19:48 Nice, did you hear the new Esoctrilihum EP that came out on Halloween? I was quite disappointed from my first few listens but I'm going to give a few more spins because maybe I'm just missing something. I liked Shaog so much so I'm really surprised
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| musclassia Staff Posts: 7621  |
I need to give it another blast, I was very impressed by the post-metal/black fusion on the first album
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| nikarg Staff Posts: 7345 |
Written by chomskeet on 03.11.2020 at 20:08 Yes, I did, I actually posted the relevant news and added the EP to the database  Just like you, I thought it was underwhelming - to say the least - compared to Shaog. I am torn about which album is best bm for 2020 so far at the moment, Esoctrilihum's or Panzerfaust's. Along with Gaerea's Limbo, they are the top 3 for me.
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| chomskeet Posts: 194 |
Written by nikarg on 03.11.2020 at 20:18 Oh nice, thanks for posting it and all the hard work you guys put into this site. The format for your Necrophobic review was fucking great/hilarious. I've listened a lot to all three and I think that Esoctrilihum eeks it out. It's just such a unique album and the more I listen the more perfect I think it is. I'm going to spin Limbo a few more times since you like it so much, it didn't grab me the way either of these two did though
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| SatanicBlood Posts: 185 |
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| DarkWingedSoul Posts: 1380  |
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| Uxküll Posts: 384  |
Fully agree, gave it a 9.
---- "Nullum unquam exstitit magnum igenium sine aliqua dementia [there was never great genius without some madness]." Best of Metal A-Z: http://metalstorm.net/users/lists.php?user_id=158339
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| Dream Taster The Enemy Within Staff Posts: 1337  |
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by chomskeet on 03.11.2020 at 19:34 Another great release, and one that I need to revisit, so thanks for the reminder.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by Silent Creeper on 03.11.2020 at 19:52 I have a handful of contenders for my personal favorite but this is right up there. Cytotoxin, Vredehammer, and Thy Catafalque are also getting plenty of my repeat attention.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by SatanicBlood on 03.11.2020 at 21:46 I assume they took the comparison as a compliment. I know some musicians take offense if they don't think a comparison is apt but in this case I think the guitar tone and dissonant riffing is definitely appropriate. Whereabouts did you tour with them?
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by Dream Taster on 04.11.2020 at 00:55 More proof that our black metal offerings aren't entirely dependent on Quebec.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| SatanicBlood Posts: 185 |
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| Evil Cooper Posts: 33  |
I really loved the chapter I and think this chapter II, for what I heard, is great too. I appreciated your review, but I quite disagree about the "originality" rating: as they are so unique in blending stuff to produce one very personal sound, I'd say they're as original as one can be nowadays. I mean, to be innovative you have to recombine in a personal way lots of other stuff, as we in 2020 have very few possibilities to get into something completely new. They do it perfectly and I think their sound is very recognizable and unique (if there is someone who sounds this way, please shoot their names, I really like this kind of apocalyptic sound...)
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| chomskeet Posts: 194 |
Written by Troy Killjoy on 04.11.2020 at 06:47 Thanks for your Cytotoxin review, I didn't know about them before that. Might be my favorite BDM album since Benighted's Asylum Cave and Viraemia
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| mz Posts: 4824  |
Still have not heard this but I absolutely love their The Lucifer Principle EP. Should check ASAP. The review makes it sound promising.
---- Giving my ears a rest from music.
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by SatanicBlood on 04.11.2020 at 16:29 Not a bad way to see the country! Especially if you drove the distance instead of flying; there's a lot of interesting and beautiful terrain and scenery between Manitoba and BC. (Okay not so much Saskatchewan but still.) It's good that you're all humble enough to take a compliment even if it doesn't follow with a particular sound or style you're aiming for. Some musicians get way too person and take offense to that stuff and just come across as divas. But fair to draw the line at Nickelback...
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306 |
Written by chomskeet on 05.11.2020 at 00:45 That's a new name for me. It seems we have a similar taste in death metal so consider the Cytotoxin review my offering in exchange for this new band to investigate 😇
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| SatanicBlood Posts: 185 |
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