Antares Predator is a Norwegian band featuring one full-time member (drummer, Vyl – for tracks 2-4) and two ex-members of Keep of Kalessin (guitarist, Warrach and vocalist, Ghash) amongst other musicians. This EP, entitled “Banquet of Ashes” is a collection of demo tracks and seems to have appeared from nowhere. The material featured consists of five tracks (one being instrumental) and was recorded between 2001-2006 in different locations in Norway and Italy.
The almost twenty minute EP begins with ‘Erosion of Eternity’ and you can hear straight away how good the production is – surprising for demo material really. The opener is made of what is ultimately good rhythmic Death Metal with nice tinges of dramatic Black Metal thrown in towards the end. It reminds at times of Kalessin’s modern day groovy moments which will no doubt please many.
A slightly comical gurgling scream opens ‘As Dragons roam the sky’, and quickly draws similarities to ‘Anthems…’ era Emperor musically. Thrash riffs crop up and there is a great emphasis on rhythm, never sounding astoundingly fast or ferocious, despite the addition of blast-beats.
‘Sacrament’ really brings recent slow Marduk songs to mind and is another catchy number, whereas ‘Midnight Wolf’ is truly bizarre! It opens with a foreboding keyboard arrangement which suggests the song is going to be inherently dark and continues into a rather drab and slow thrash riff. Disappointing is how I shall describe it.
“Banquet of Ashes” is a well produced and catchy sounding demo EP of Thrashy, Black Metal influenced Death Metal which will definitely be to some peoples’ tastes. For people who prefer rawer, utterly savage material though, I’d recommend looking elsewhere.
http://www.myspace.com/antarespredator
