Akitsa are a harsh Black Metal band from the French speaking part of Canada (Quebéc), and sound incredibly similar to a handful of their cultural counterparts: The Black Legions. Interwoven with the raunchy Black Metal, though, are a number of morose – yet simple – Black Ambient tracks.

This (simple, yet nicely packaged) demo CD-R is a re-release of their rehearsal (which went by the same name), although a few of the older tracks have been replaced with newly recorded – and exceptionally superior – songs. “Pouvoir Désertiques” is far and away the best of the new blasphemies, as it combines the sheer grimness and negativity of Mutiilation, with the ambient, relaxed atmosphere of early Blut aus Nord. Need I mention that fans of the Mutiilation “Travel” demo and the first LP will find something worthwhile in Akitsa (re: the distinctly similar sounding riffs in tracks such as “Désegrenage (les enfants de l’illusion)”?

The older tracks are a good deal rawer, not to mention heavier in atmosphere. They fall in somewhere between early Burzum (especially the drums/guitar tradeoffs) and the more extreme metal leanings of Lust (Can). Vocals, especially, are pushed to rather insane, screamed levels.

Despite the often pretentious (“L’elitisme Québecois”) or silly (“L’hymne à la mutilation”) song titles, Akitsa are a worthy purchase for the individual looking for well-performed, but of course raw and filthy underground Black Metal.

AFP c/o J. Niemi
Ridasjärventie 50
05450 Nukari
Finland
http://www.teli.stadia.fi/~jniemi/

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