Aum - Of Pestilence... [EP] (2012, Le Crépuscule du Soir Productions)

Black metal from China? It's from Hong Kong, but yes. Aum consists of three members, one of which is also in the death/thrash band Aortic Regurgitation. The band has only existed since 2010 and had their first EP out the end of 2012. 2 years seems like a lot to write 6 songs, but the overall quality of these tracks is by far good enough to justify it.

It's obvious the band has its influence-wise roots in the Scandinavian scene of the 90's, but then again Aum have a certain touch of melody that makes the EP entirely their own. The riffs are like a mix of Immortal and Satyricon, the vocals a mix of Tom Warrior and Abbath, and the fast drumming is just short of reaching critical mass and causing a meltdown. This is tempo-focussed black metal with a thing for thrashy hooks and ruthless riffing, and it works. "Of Pestilence" may not be a titan of modern black metal, but Aum take all the best elements from various bands and put them together for some straight up good black metal.

To pinpoint the main weakness of the EP it is the fact that they build a lot of momentum within each song but don't utilize it properly. The songs fit together, but not sufficiently so to create a good flow between the tracks. Another thing is that some of the tracks have varying quality which makes me think the EP has been recorded during different sessions, or maybe even at different studios or handled by different personel. While this practice is not entirely uncommon it does give the EP a too diverse feel. They're small complaints in the grand scheme of things, but it does subtract from the overall score. 8/10 guitars.

Tracklist:
1. Temple
2. Place of the Skull
3. Sheath to All Swords
4. The Forge of Zurvan
5. The Thawing of Pestilence
6. Aum (Acolytes to Eldritch Dimensions)

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Le Crépuscule du Soir Productions official site

Aortic Regurgitation - Aortic Regurgitation [EP] (2010, Self-released)

Thrash metal is by far one of my favourite genres. Not as versatile as other genres, it originates from hardcore punk and has had a huge influence on modern metal. Among one of the more aggressive subgenres, thrash metal is also quite popular and has been so since it was pioneered by American bands like Metallica and Slayer in the early 80's.

China is not a country usually connected with metal music, let alone thrash, and indeed this is the first Chinese metal band I've ever heard. The Hong Kongese thrash band Aortic Regurgitation released their first material, the eponymous five-track EP "Aortic Regurgitation". Thrash metal, to me, needs the following ingredients to work: Fast and ripping riffs, rapid drumming, throat-tearing vocals and gritty production. This EP has all of those things. Vocals not entirely unlike those of Morbid Saint vocalist Pat Lind and a hellishly dirty sound make up for an outstanding 22 minutes of utter destructive thrash from the fiery pits of hell.

The filthy vocals of the female singer Cynthia "Syn" Yim infect the mind of the listener with absolute brain-rupturing sonic terror combined with the thrashy riffs, reminding me mostly of the beastly thrash metal of South America. The Chinese duo succeeds in producing demonic fast-paced metal with elements of both black and death metal, creating a bastard child of clear malevolence and evil.

Relentlessness, mind-terrorizing vocals and intricate riffs altogether make up for the obvious use of computer drumming, and Aortic Regurgitation - though the name sounds like death metal - delivers straight to the point filthy thrash metal from the far east. I'm looking very much forward to hearing more from this Asian duo. After listening to this manifestation of evil I'm definitely Damned to Serve. 8/10 guitars.

Tracklist:

1. Damned to Serve

2. Infestation

3. Dementia

4. Alien Worlds

5. Silent Night

Aortic Regurgitation - Aortic Regurgitation is available for free download HERE
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