I didn’t expect to hear Dave Haley’s name in a Black Metal context, probably because I had him etched into my mind as a Death Metal drummer. A little narrow-minded, but then again I had only known of him as Psycroptic’s drum machine until now, never mind.
For a two-man band that doesn’t appear to have a background in Black Metal, this is surprisingly good – pretty decent riffs accompanied by very varied and dynamic drumming, but then again it is Dave Haley. In other Black Metal terms, Frost’s drumming performance on 1349’s ‘Hellfire’ is probably the most similar I can bring to mind. There’s just an unusual amount going on frankly, and it’s interesting.
‘Where Time is left behind’ opens the record; a slow to start number for the first minute, concentrating on mood with slow chords and a few thrash beats flung in for good measure. We’re given an idea of what the pace works its way up to with some rather rapid snare blasts and even a hint of Satyricon-like groove (from the ‘Rebel Extravaganza’ era I’d say).
Of the highlights, title-track ‘Cauldron’ is undoubtedly one of them. Coming into its own after the minute mark, with a quick ‘UGH’ and simple but memorably melancholic chords and double bass flicks, which soon become constant as a dark, organ like riff descends, followed by monotone shredding.
‘Hanged after being Blinded’ has something of an early Darkthrone groove to it, along with vocals which sound more than reminiscent of Nocturno Culto. It’s the end of this which really comes alive; brimming with energy, a beautiful but dark lead riff soaring over Haley’s immense double bass propulsion.
The morose beginning of ‘Upon these Skeletons’ is really emphasised by the drum work which never seems to stop alternating. It’s fantastic, it really is. The riffs are quite slow and meandering on the whole, leaving space to sink in while the other half of the barrage manipulates them, attempting to knock a hole in your head with as many different approaches as possible.
Whilst the riffs are for the most part strong in their own right, the drumming is what really makes this album work for me (as if I hadn’t expressed this fact enough). It’s vaguely akin to listening to Flo of Cryptopsy on their 06 album ‘Once was Not’. There isn’t as much room to flaunt here obviously, but Haley does a considerable job of mixing rhythms up to deliver an unusually compelling performance.
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