Label: Century Media Records
Date: January 17th, 2025
It’s almost a scientifical impossibility to convey the same power on stage and in the studio. The precision necessary while recording, dictates the calm nerves and utmost focus on the notes. On the other hand, the adrenaline rush of roaring crowd in a live setting, makes you forget about the limitations of body and mind.
The same thing applies to the listener. Sitting in my bedroom, spinning “Swarming Angels & Flies“, doesn’t even begin to compare to the presence in front of the stage, under the cloven hooves of these four Swedish devils.
All these things considered, Sarcator still produced a very good record. It’s not a pulverizing blow I’ve seen live, but a strong assault it remains. Mostly thanks to the band’s capability to compose powerful songs which contain more than enough raw energy of old school extreme metal. “Swarming Angels & Flies“ is made up of traditional tools of metal trade, rightfully carrying the band’s influences close to heart. From the classical tunes of European death/thrash and Scandinavian black metal, Teutonic thrash, South American death/black/thrash, Floridian death, all the way back to a bit more up-to-date melodic death of their home country. The most gruesome, gnarly and therefore appealing aspects of the said genres are blended into Sarcator’s formula for old school death thrashing metal. The guys were brought up on the sounds of the eighties and early nineties, so what comes out of their instruments is a clear homage to the golden age of extreme metal.
However, while the majority of worshippers is striving to simply mimic and imitate, Sarcator is more ambitious. The compositions on their third full length record are delicately complex. Far from sliding into meandering progression, the arrangements are still developed further from the origins of primal metal. It could also be said of the lyrics on the record, which are far from minimalist devil worshipping. The boys are exploring sordid existence, certain death, restless afterlife and unending nothingness with violent smirk. Aggression is not lacking from the musical side either. The relative complexity of form doesn’t take away from the point Sarcator yearns to make. The absolute disregard of emotional subtlety and relentless attack as a primary philosophy is what defines this record. Sounds of Entombed, Bolt Thrower, Morbid Angel, Kreator, Sodom, early Sepultura, Sextrash, Sarcófago, but also Dissection, Dark Funeral and even Children Of Bodom…
Yes, the melodic main riff and galloping rhythm of “The Deep End” draws attention to the famous Finns. As a surprise of the record comes the instrumental “Closure”, which summons early Metallica to mind, with its ominous atmosphere leading into the last track of the album. Also, the mentioned two tracks offer a bit of diversity to the whole. Whether the fans will appreciate it or not is a whole new topic.
Still, for all its worth, the record is not all it could be. It is packed with energy and sonic violence, with instrumental and compositional prowess that justifies the status of the band and the massive label backing them up. Yet, there are few unmissable hooks on “Swarming Angels & Flies“. In other words, Sarcator has done everything properly, but still needs to level up on the next record. There’s plenty of room and a definite talent for greatness. Not to mention the live appearance which is the band’s absolute stronghold.
By the way, if you opt to get a slipcase version of the CD, you will be treated with no less than three bonus covers which speak volumes about where Sarcator’s sound comes from. Anti Cimex, Sarcófago and Sadus, in the hands of Sarcator, become terrifying pieces of weaponry for this album.
