2024-01-09 08:00:14
(c) Renato Luis
With Arm for Seti Real veterans of the Portuguese metal scene are loudly reporting back. The quartet from the holiday island of Madeira has been releasing music between thrash and melodic death since 2001, although the breaks have recently become longer. Their last EP was released in June 2021, and it has been seven and a half years since their last album. Although the dry spell is now ending ‘only’ with another small format, this one is convincing across the board: “Remains” brings the sound of the original rocks to the point.
“I Breathe The End” opens the proceedings as a mid-tempo steamroller, nasty and ominous, but at the same time permeated by exciting melodic qualities. Karnak Seti feel audibly comfortable in this grooving darkness, accompanied by hoarse vocals and synthetic undertones. At first glance, the track doesn’t really get going, but there is an undeniable appeal in this reduced tempo. The following title song “Restos” takes a much more bold approach. Not for the last time, memories of Lamb Of God are awakened, but the catchy parts are clearly Scandinavian – a rough balancing act that knows how to entertain.
In fact, the Portuguese are only now really getting started and are taking their death thrash mix to the extreme with “In Loom”. The constant pressure, which is difficult to grasp, tears everything down, and in the middle of it all, small instrumental experiments with traditional influences lead us down the wrong path. The somewhat washed-out solo part also works well. The almost seamless transition to the final powerhouse “Down Beneath” is good. An extended folkloric break surprises and can exquisitely underline the special identity of Karnak Seti before the next oversized wall rolls in and welcomes doom with open arms.
And so Karnak Seti groove more and more into a kind of sustained state of intoxication that reveals certain influences and at the same time skilfully plays off the quartet’s experience. Yes, the Portuguese have their death thrash favorites, that cannot be denied, but at the same time they find a strong approach to their own identity, which is always played out really well. “Restos” is the work of experienced warriors who don’t believe in routine and want to continue delivering real neckbreakers. That’s exactly what this EP achieves. A whole album in this form would be extremely welcome.
Rating: 8/10
Available from: January 12, 2024
Available via: Self-distributed
Website: www.karnakseti.pt
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KarnakSetiOfficial
Category: Magazin, Reviews
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#Karnak #Seti #Restos
