Thanatotherion - Alienation Manifesto

Angry Metal Guy

As many of you well know by now, one of the quickest ways to my spongy little heart-hole is to bend and smash genres together. Hybridized monstrosities are my deepest love, and each time a new act promises such twisted, mangled barbs, I jump right into the tangled thicket without hesitation. Enter Virginia one-man deathened, lightly thrashened, raw black metal enigma Thanatotherion. Masterminded by Shelby Lemo of Ulthar and Vastum, Thanatotherion represents a heretofore unexplored side of his extreme metal predilections. With debut full-length Alienation Manifesto, can he secure my rapt attention?

While Shelby’s time with Ulthar and Vastum shines on Alienation Manifesto, particularly through his uniquely muscular riffs and burled songwriting, Thanatotherion is undeniably a different beast. Pulling raw black metal notes from Darkthrone, cribbing eerie atmosphere from acts like Khôra, and channeling a touch of second-wave Emperor regality, Alienation Manifesto compiles its inspirations and uses the resulting amalgam to crab-walk its own path through snow-capped forests. Twists of thrash metal and novel bits of synth work—highly reminiscent of Metroid and Stranger Things soundtracks—help diversify Thanatotherion’s sound even further without spreading Shelby’s ideas thin. In sum, Shelby’s latest project is cohesive, novel, and exciting—and just strange enough in application to earn its place on the I, Voidhanger roster.

Alienation Manifesto by Thanatotherion

A striking encapsulation of everything Thanatotherion does well, mammoth closer “Codex Crepusculum” swerves and swoops through twelve minutes of continuously entertaining blackened death metal. Never overstaying their welcome, its myriad riffs and lead guitar melodies provide a dangerous assortment of spine-wrecking tuneage with which one can occupy themselves. In between bouts of destruction, creepy atmospheric breaks lull the listener to a pit of gentle tension, only to be released a minute later into more aural violence. It’s an incredibly smart composition, showcasing songwriting intelligence that manifests similarly on more straightforward cuts like “Red Cathedral” and “Nuclear Womb.” Faster and more aggressive, even, than the epic closer, these highlights threaten the structural integrity of my entire skeleton—in no small part thanks to Black Fucking Cancer drummer extraordinaire Jason Bursese’s ravenous blasts, beats, and fills—and are guaranteed pit-destroyers in any live setting. In all of these songs, venomous rasps mix beautifully with the raw, but warm, fuzz of angrily buzzing guitars and the skull-shattering thunder of acrobatic percussion which themselves seem hell-bent on ripping faces asunder. Meanwhile, slightly lengthier tracks “The Raven and the Box of Stars” and “Wilczyca” interweave a compelling amount of story and character development into the record. Still thrashing with unbridled bloodlust, these rippers are content to play with their prey for a spell before inevitably consuming the flesh with wild abandon.

This strategy makes for a wholly compelling and remarkably dynamic experience. Even with synth-based instrumental interludes “Orb” and “Lament,” every moment on Alienation Manifesto feels purposeful and substantial. However, these eventful tunes could use a little more massaging. While undoubtedly part of the record’s charm, all of its tracks feel a bit unruly. Certain transitions lack grace (see those that introduce and dismiss the middle section of “The Raven and the Box of Stars”), and segments of the record’s more expansive works could stand some tightening to get more bang for the listener’s buck (“Codex Crepusculum,” “Wilczyca”). Additionally, while Alienation Manifesto sounds roomy and warm, I’d love a little more bass guitar presence and overall low-end heft. I understand this is likely a conscious decision in order to stay true to those raw black metal aesthetics, but I still maintain that a thicker low end would only enhance this material.

There’s a lot to get excited about with Thanatotherion’s debut. Clearly the product of a seasoned and talented musician with a concrete vision, Alienation Manifesto is a tight, twisted, raw ride through thrashy blackened death metal wastelands. It sacrifices some smoothness for the sake of creating a roller coaster of great moments, and Shelby missed a few opportunities to streamline some of the lengthier tracks and to fill out the record’s low end. Nonetheless, Alienation Manifesto is a rock-solid and vital debut. Even if you aren’t a fan of the raw stuff, this is uniquely accessible, immensely fun, and entirely worthy of your attention.

Rating: Very Good
DR: 9 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: I, Voidhanger Records
Website: thanatotherion.bandcamp.com
Releases Worldwide: June 7th, 2024

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