Split releases are mostly coming from the Grind or Black Metal scenes and this specific release leaves no doubt regarding its origin. Actually I have had the chance to come in touch with KROHM's music so this is a nice chance to see what TENEBRAE IN PERPETUUM is all about.

So, what happens when a USA based Black Metal solo project (with an Italian mastermind) unites with an Italian unholy trinity? This answer is obvious, this split release. Yeah, I know. My humor could use some improvement...

Let's examine each side of this release individually. First we have TENEBRAE IN PERPETUUM, an Italian Black Metal band which offers three lengthy tracks, similar to TIP's early sound. "Rotten" and slow as death guitars with a melancholic, yet aggressive mood, similar to the one someone might find in BURZUM's music. In fact, the similarity with the Norwegian notorious solo project is really strong. The riffs, the atmosphere, the whole conception of the music are really familiar. The thing is that the Italian duet managed to drag me into its own nightmarish world and almost suffocate me with the demons that hide in its shadows. Pretty nice music indeed.

What about KROHM? This solo project is controlled by mastermind Numinas, an Italian musician who resides in USA. KROHM's music is based mostly on atmosphere rather than catchy riffs or something. "The Black Bridge" for example reminded me a lot of the atmosphere THE RUINS OF BEVERAST feature in their music. Numinas locks you in his claustrophobic creations with cold and monotonous (in a good way) guitars and minimalistic music. This is the kind of Black Metal that infects your mind and spreads throughout your body without having the need to be aggressive, brutal or something like that.

All in all, this is definitely an interesting split release from two bands that really know how to handle their "atmospheric" elements. I am so glad to hear such music coming from Italy, the country that unfortunately has so much to offer to Metal and wastes energy on not even mediocre bands.