From their Facebook page, SITHARI is a “Melodic Black Metal in Sioux Land Iowa.” This is the band’s debut EP. The band comments: "If you wish your black metal was a bit darker, added with a dash of GORGOROTH with just a dash of IMMORTAL that describes the sound. From beginning to end, this EP will leave you wanting more. It’s a fantastic record that caters to all fans of black metal who want something melodic, fast, and relentless." The album has five songs, and “Chaos in the Skies” is first. Out of the gate, there is aggression, but it is carefully controlled, and darkness is too innocuous of a word to describe their sound…it is deep, like the abyss itself.

“Before the Dawn” has a similar pace and rumble to it, from the sheer weight of the thick guitars, blast beat drums, and harsh vocals. It settles into a slow, harrowing groove, where evil reigns. “Conquer the Wild” has a discernable riff that is filthy and powerful, and it shifts a few times along the way, covering both solemn ground and aggressive ground. The aggressive passages cut deep, like a surgeon’s blade, while the solemn ones leave you with a hold inside your soul. “Hail Victory” begins with a powerful riff that moves slowly and deliberately, crushing everything beneath its path. The harsh vocals pour over them like a thick, black tar that can’t be washed off. The constant pounding of drums rings in your ears also.

“The Everlasting Hunt” is the final song, and it is heavily tinged with more of the darkness that the band talks about. It has a slow moving and crushing pace, as if the weight of the collective world was heaped onto your shoulders. It takes a diversion after the half-way mark, and ends on more brutal tones. Overall, this was a solid album. Although it was relatively short, many of the aggressive passages were also coupled with somber melodies, creating an unforgettable listening experience.