Formed in France in 2008, AD EXTIRPENDA proposes a Symphonic Blackened Metal, tinted by heavy, Folk and Medieval influences.  "Cathartic" is the first, full-length album, released in January, 2014. There are ten tracks on the album.

I like the tone setting instrumental lead-in song, which hints softly at what is to come.  But I do not believe I was prepared for what happened next.  "Gnosis" begins with a discernable riff pattern before the more traditional Black Metal sound comes around.  I have to say is a pretty unique combination of sounds.  But just when you think you have nailed down the track, it surprises you with a new direction.  As the song closes, a softer, gloomier element takes over.

"Church of the Wolves" has a sweet little acoustic opening, before the main riff comes in with a folky sort of rhythm.  This time the gravely vocals are low and brooding.  Shortly thereafter it slows to a more grinding rhythm, murky and mesmerizing, complete with a running lead guitar fill.  "Dominic and the Perfect" has a swifter pace, where the vocals are subdued, as if behind a cloud, and the guitar is dissonant at times.  This time the detour is gentle and coy, before it returns to the main riff.  They are really working in a lot of sounds here to keep you on your toes.

"Beziers" opens with a haunting piano melody, as if you were privy to the coming of something evil.  The main riff has a catchy sort of feel to it and I like the direction this song takes.  "Holocauste" is another distinct track that stops flat as a dime halfway through, and carries a beautiful melody forth for a while, like a single ray of sunshine that pierces through a thunderhead.

"The Inquisitor" by contrast, is much more dark and brutal Black Metal, with an intermission passage where hateful spoken words fill the air with animosity and repugnance. There is a real intensity to the message.  "Augustus" continues in a similar vein.  The message is bitter, impassioned and spiteful.  Closing the album is the track "Ego Te Absolvo."  It starts with a more frenzied pace, and the vocals are more commanding, like the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain, decreeing the way things are.  I love the "church organ" keyboards that lie underneath the laments of vocalist Misein.

In sum, AD EXTIRPENDA present to you a varied plate of Black Metal, with plenty of ingredients that add flavor and depth to their brand of music.  Fans of traditional Black Metal will find this to their liking I believe, and Metal heads who might not normally congregate to this kind of music may find a nice surprise here.  They are able to connect some really unusual and varied passages without losing sight of the song.  There is no denying a real musical hand that created this music here.  It's a promising first album for a band that is clearly not afraid of some experimentation within the genre.