Kratornas - The Corroding Age of Wounds (2009)

Bruno Zamora has been battering away at his one-man brand of vicious and raw black metal for over a decade, and two years ago released the first proper full-length, Over the Fourth Part of the Earth, which showed the man's potential for over the top, disgusting primal chaos, black metal with traces of death and grind that amplify its extremity. The Corroding Age of Wounds is a sound follow-up, but be warned: this is not the type of black metal record you listen to for catchy or hypnotic rhythms, it's an almost unmitigated, barbaric onslaught of filth.

I'm going to say up front that the drum machine did not work for me through this album. The beats match the riffs, but something just feels disconnected, perhaps it was the mix, perhaps some added fills are needed. Beyond that, the guitars sizzle with abyssal fury and Zamora's vocals are absolutely infectious in that hellish sense that they would almost dominate the mix (if not for the raw, blazing guitars). "Beasts Form the Sea" is a turbulent, chaotic blitz of black metal that ranges from majestic, scything rhythms to blasting blitzkrieg. "On Dying Aeons" opens with a simple, bloodied melody and "Three Unclean Spirits" has a punkish, grinding edge to its lead-in rhythm. Other tracks that will have you cutting into your own flesh include the tumult and confusion of "Chaosblade", and the great riffing of "Interstellar Doom".

The Corroding Age of Wounds is a good effort, it does capture the essence of savage black metal channeled through its influences, but from a new perspective. Kratornas is another example of what a single vision can accomplish with a guitar and spirit fueled by cruelty. The only weaknesses that remain are the sub-par use of the drum machine and often inaudible bass. Once these are addressed, Zamora will have himself a top shelf project.

Verdict: Win [7/10]

http://www.kratornas.com/