KATHAROS XIII hails from Romania and were formed in 2007. Their new album,  "Chthonian Transmissions" is their fourth full length album. They have also releases a split and one demo. "Chthonian Transmissions," is a very diverse and even shocking album. I can say with no doubt at all this album, and band, is the most unique experience I've had so far this year.  Their sound is stretched beyond the confines of extreme metal by blending black, doom and dark jazz together. I'm not familiar with dark jazz but the band's use of saxophone and ambient, introspective passages is put to tremendous use.

As with any album that mixes styles, flow is of the utmost importance. For the most part, these six tracks flow pretty well, one after another. I will say, however, that the album does have some lulls of a sort—at times it seems like the band gets trapped in their own sound when it comes to the more quiet, abstract sections. This might not bother some people, and personally I find every song interesting, but I'm just saying the songs could use a more aggressive approach in places. With that being said, every track is a mini epic and beaming with solid song writing from a band who clearly had a solid plan and vision for this album.

The journey begins with "Neurastenia," a fourteen and a half minute monster of a song. The opening minutes are heavy doom riffs and thick bass. Riding on top are clear, passionate clean vocals that are delicate yet powerfully focused. Soon the jazz elements of the band turn the song into what I can only describe "free flowing liquid," if that makes sense. I normally absolutely cannot stand the saxophone. The very sound of it has never sat with me at all. KATHAROS XIII? They make me feel different about the instrument on this album.  Alex's blends flawlessly into this heart of darkness.

"The Golden Season," is more black metal oriented, even down to the vocals. The music is simpler and riff based but the bass still slaps. After the two minute mark, a clean/ambient section arrives—I dig the sudden change of pace and it doesn't sound forced either. The blackened aspects return in the later half of the song but the clean vocals and jazz atmosphere is incorporated into it—-free flowing yet still darkness drenched. "Sine Materia," is a very quite song, gentle like the eye of a hurricane which is perfect because it is placed halfway through the track list. I don't want to call this a ballad but it is surely different and more laid back than anything before and after. I do enjoy the respite it provides and it fits into the context of the album well.

"Ruins," is the best song for me because it shows off the style the band is going for—a stunning representation of the album. The beginning is all blackened doom: abrasive, cavernous and just plain evil. The middle part is equally as disturbing but in a different way but it all comes together in a crazy display of insane sax, rumbling doom and searing blackness. The first seven minutes or so of "From The Light Of Flesh,"  is probably this dark jazz style I'm not familiar with. But it sounds both soothing and a little upsetting in some way I can't quite put my finger on. The last four minutes are heavy before fading out. A killer track that shows off the dynamics of the album. "Okeanos," closes the album with mostly clean instrumentation but it is a very dense performance with enough going on to make it heavy without actually being all that heavy. It is a slick and well done song that ends the album perfectly.

KATHAROS XIII's "Chthonian Transmissions" is a fascinating album that had me engaged and appreciating a style that is outside my comfort zone. A challenging and rewarding listen.