This independently released EP from Black Metal cabal Trails of Anguish is a nice taste of what the Quebecois mavens have to offer. The pace is acidic and breakneck, with searing and passionate screams over buzzsaw guitars and a wash of blasting drums. Here and there, a fewer more melodic parts (relatively speaking, mind you) creep in and remind the listener that the band is not out to simply mimic the likes of Marduk and their ilk. The vocals at times are breathlessly brayed in a fashion that is reminicient of Antaeus, which may be in part attributed to French lyric mechanics. All in all, this effort is relentless and convincing, in part because the content presented is clearly important and personal to the band. It is not an easy proposition to be an interesting Black Metal band in this era, but I think along with some of their peers in the far reaches of North America, Trails of Anguish has accomplished this feat. I looks forward to hearing more from them in the future.

© 2000 w.s. diabolus