Terminus Episode 98 - The Chasm, Slugathor, Licentious

As though driven by an unearthly wind, Terminus' music pendulum is buffeted far to the opposite side of the last couple episodes with an evening of (mostly) pure death metal- generally oldschool, but portrayed in radically contrasting ways. We open with a peek at the debut EP by Licentious, announcing the return of Rob Fornicator (Fornicator, Whore, etc.) which combines his penchant for heroin-addict sleaze with the dissolute chaos of early Devourment. Recommended headbanging posture: stabbing motion.

The Chasm returns after a long absence, allowing your hosts the opportunity to review not merely the newest record but the band as a whole. A long-running and crucial project carrying aloft the torch of the most erudite of oldschool death metal, the band on this record sets their sights on something a little different: highly technical, erudite thrash. The Chasm represents a crucial lineage in death metal: that of the Guitar Guy who sees technical performance and songwriting scope as inextricably intertwined. Recommended headbanging posture: invisible conductor's baton.

Also returning from a long absence are Finnish bulldozers Slugathor, who have emerged from the depths of R'lyeh slower, lower, and more bestial than ever. Drawing from the ugliest and deepest pools found within Rippikoulu and Bolt Thrower, Slugathor appear primitive and reductive at first blush, but upon further examination reveal a master's touch in pacing and structure. Recommended headbanging posture: shotgun levelled execution-style at the head of planet Earth.

0:00:00 - Intro/Licentious - Licentious (Headsplit Records)

0:14:52 - The Chasm - The Scars of a Lost Reflective Shadow (Lex Inframundis Productions/Dark Descent)

1:01:54 - Interlude - Claude Debussy - Nocturnes III, “Sirènes,” performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker, Claudio Abbado conducting (Deutsche Grammophon, 2001)

1:11:41 - Slugathor - Crypt of the Ancient Fire (Drakkar Productions)

2:02:38 - Outro - Slugathor - “Endless Halls,” fr. Crypt of The Ancient Fire (2022)

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