Avzhia - Ancient Blasphemies (split with Xibalba)
Review: The second of these two tracks comes from the Immense Dark Sky demo, and the second is no surprise as it is derived from the same patterns found on Dark Emperors in transition to The Key of Throne. Like the best of black metal bands, Avzhia make raw riffs come together as a singular organic sound which finds a beauty in darkness, with influences from Emperor, Gorgoroth and early Ancient. Melodic metal with blast drum chaos underneath, poured into the mold of a rigorous structure, makes the best use of riffs which it rotates in a motif kaleidoscope, returning through the riff salad to fundamental themes. While these were later added to the re-release of Dark Emperors they fit perhaps better into the more refined but surly outlook of The Key of Throne, which despite all of our illusions insists there is epic infinity hidden in the tiniest, dirtiest, most vile and degraded aspects of biological and physical reality. Unlike almost any bands from this era, Avzhia uphold the transcendental yet grimly realistic outlook fundamental to modern black metal.
1. Into the Silence of the Shadows (9:05) 
2. Father of Sinners (8:42)
Split with Xibalba.