Review by Felix on March 31, 2020.

These Dutch dudes came into my metal fan existence with a big bang. Their perfect contribution to the split with Space Chaser made me more than curious and I wanted to get a second sample of their prowess quickly. Like many other contemporary outputs of the genre, Summoning the Malicious suffers from a mediocre artwork, but it holds nine thrash tracks and the musical content forms a very interesting album, even though it was more or less quite clear that it does not deserve the same rating as the once in a lifetime songs of the split.

First things first, Summoning the Malicious is pure thrash metal. However, it does not lack diversity. The gloomy, rather slow-moving 'The King of Kings', for instance, stands in sharp contrast to its overwhelmingly dynamic neighbor called 'Stature of Liberty'. Both tracks belong to the absolute highlights; but the latter one impresses with its highly energetic guitar lines, the contagious solo and the catchy chorus, while the opening riff of 'The King of Kings' obviously pays tribute to the guitar work and the mood of the title track of Overkill's "Horrorscope". Trace elements of "Chemi-Kill" (Exodus) can also be identified. Both tunes are simply fantastic, and the band demonstrates that it is not limited to only one song pattern. And they have another thing in common - these jewels, as well as the remaining tracks, benefit from the down-to-earth sound. The full-length is neither overproduced nor does it suffer from a wrong understanding of the demands of the underground. This is just a sound that fits the performed music very well and already the pleasantly rasping guitars of the opener's first riff underline that Distillator don't do things they don't understand.

Generally speaking, the riffs do what riffs on a thrash album have to do: they play the main role successfully, they embody the stimulating force of the music style and give the songs their aroma. Thus, Distillator always stay on track. They say on their homepage that they sound like it's 1988, but I rather tend to 1985/1986, because this album has a lot of the energy of "Reign in Blood" instead of focusing on the controlled aggression of "South of Heaven". Anyway, the guys from Enschede do not reinvent the wheel and connect high-pitched shrieks with rapid guitar lines. The unleashed title track picks up the directness of classics like "Strike of the Beast" and, as mentioned before, the musicians have seen no reason to mix their thrashing madness with influences from other sub genres. This is no black / death or fun thrash; the material reflects the pure creed. The lyrics also respect the guidelines of the sub-genre. I have never heard before of an 'Algorithmic Citizenship', but the lyrics of this fast-paced, catchy and brilliant number degrade Orwell and Huxley to amateurs in terms of dark future scenarios. Big Brother, do you like this review? (Don't think so.) The aforementioned 'The King of Kings' also deals with an interesting subject, the so-called "Operation AJAX" from 1953. The UK and the US of A demonstrated their noble understanding of the self-determination of peoples and tried to overthrow the Iranian government. And for what reason? Oil, of course. I really like this kind of lyrical topics.

In short, all tracks are great and some of them are absolutely immaculate! Apart from those I have already expressly mentioned, I must praise two high-velocity eruptions - the pulsating 'Mechanized Existence' with its excellent flow and the title track due to its lively guitars. If the band drives its tour bus as fast as it plays its instruments, the dudes will get in conflict with the obedient vigilantes of their home country. And to avoid misunderstandings, the less rapid pieces like 'Estates of the Real' also shine with exquisite guitars. Which fool said that the album would not be able to enter the realms of perfection? These riff-masters from the Netherlands are absolutely on the right way and it makes me somehow proud that the music of my youth hasn't lost anything of its fascination. Distillator, countless divisions from Greece, Terrifier, Battery, some German combat units, Steel Inferno, Shakma... all these formations build a kind of hidden empire. The fiery, eternally juvenile and rebellious spirit of thrash metal seems to be undying and therefore this sub-genre is the backbone (or the first among equals, or, to say it with the band, the king of kings) of the global metal scene - at least from my point of view.

Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Review by Jeger on June 25, 2024.

Aristarchus of Samos - an Ancient Greek astronomer and mathematician who developed the very first heliocentric model that placed the sun in the center of our galaxy. A man versed in the ways of balance it appears. But for many of us, the art of balance is an elusive one, particularly for individuals such as myself who suffer from various psychological and emotional afflictions. To find an existential balance would quite simply be foreign to our nature. From light to darkness and from sound to silence; always tipping the scales from one extreme to the next. It's from within this particular conceptual realm that Glasgow, Scotland's Aristarchos have chosen to develop their art - a gorgeous melding together of philosophy and atmospheric black metal. On April 5th, 2024 Aristarchos released their sophomore effort, Martyr Of Star And Fire via Vendetta Records.

A breath of fresh air when compared to your conventional nature-worshipping atmospheric BM is Martyr Of Star And Fire. After all, black metal should challenge perception and stimulate abstract thought - music for intelligent persons - a journey through the sphere of consciousness should always be the objective. On a purely musical level, Aristarchos are offering nothing less than the richest atmospheric BM ambrosia: memorable intros, airy atmospheric overlays and ethereal riffs offset by abyssal percussive lows. A balance! And a masterfully realized one indeed. Four tracks clocking in at just over 33 minutes; immersive and complex. These brilliantly segmented compositions paired with the overall epic nature of each cut really create an engaging experience that feels much longer than it truly is. All elements overlain with an overlapping vocal tapestry consisting of mid-ranged, powerful growls and deep meditative chants that evoke a most trancelike vibe. Absolutely haunting and overbearingly sinister is this volume, and with combined influences that create an experience what feels like something between Sear Bliss and Wode, you can anticipate a genre-spanning experience.

Transcendental! Down to earth or less-is-more appearing to be outlying concepts to Aristarchos, much like the ever-elusive balance that escapes the afflicted each and every day. To achieve balance requires much inner toiling of the psyche. Martyr Of Star And Fire, like a sound bath meditation to ease you into slumber, offers guidance for one to achieve this discipline. A challenging listen that offers little for one to savor as far as rhythm and melody but enthralling due to the sheer epic of it all.

The suspense of a life that begs for balance captured so eloquently. The unexpected highs and lows and the dreadful anticipation of each and every offsetting moment realized so starkly through music. And as the unpredictable seconds tick away the hours of a life so obtusely scaled, the sands of the hourglass run accompanied by the same sense of suspenseful anxiety that can be absorbed during this recording. A demanding listen when compared to the typical ABM record but engrossing nonetheless. A contemporary specimen that foreshadows what could be an exciting new direction for this particular sub-genre.

Rating: 8 out of 10