This debut EP from the Italian death metal band/project Encelado, is named after Enceladus, a moon of Saturn and also a mythological giant buried beneath Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy Whilst strongly rooted in death metal the sound is slightly unconventional and creatively charged. Musically and thematically the project follows a path shaped by philosophical and cosmic concepts including space exploration, artificial intelligence, human consciousness and death.  The band features two core members who are joined by two session drummers.  All music and lyrics are written by Damien with vocals performed by Simone.  Arrangements are by Encelado and the EP was recorded and mixed at Umbra Studio in Italy. Their influences span a wide spectrum from brutal death metal acts such as Aborted, All Shall Perish and Dying Fetus, to the visceral vocal stylings of bands like Cannibal Corpse and Suffocation, which inform Simone’s intense growls. Earlier inspirations trace back to 80’s hard rock and heavy metal as well as the Bay Area thrash movement.

Pillars of Creation delivers four intense and experimental tracks that stretch the boundaries of death metal. With the support of the two session drummers the music is driven by relentless blast beats, complex rhythms and moments of unexpected atmospheric depth.  “Dark Nebulas” launches the EP with ferocity, blast beats propelling the sound into chaotic territory. It leans to technical death metal influences, showcasing intricate structures and rapid shifts. Simone’s vocals feel less like a human voice and more like an ominous disembodied cosmic entity, a presence in the otherwise vast empty void of space.  “Gravety” The most experimental piece on the EP, opens with drums, dissonant guitars and strange raspy utterances, almost like a distorted alien broadcast.  The vocals alternate between guttural growls and spoken word passages, evoking interplanetary communication from a distant world.  The track is layered and unpredictable, with tempo changes, and a very brief yet surreal jazzy interlude.  Deeply technical and unsettling, it captures Encelado’s bold exploration of sound

“Fragments of Fear” is driven by blast and hyper blast beats, this track again showcases the clever, precise drumming and intense rhythm shifts. It breaks down into slower crushing riffs giving space for the vocals to terrorize. It pairs aggression with disorientating shifts in pace. The title track “Pillars of Creation” opens with a rapid-fire combination of drums and vocals, gradually transitioning into slower, more deliberate rhythms. Simone’s voice grows more insistent, driving the track through layers of shifting tempo and dynamics. The structure feels exploratory, suggesting a band in the process of shaping and re shaping their sonic identity.  Overall Encelado’s debut EP is a bold genre-bending statement, one that pays homage to death metal traditions whilst pushing toward uncharted territory. It’s a unique project that hints at even more experimentation and evolution to come.