Album Review: Kaoteon – Damnatio Memoriae (Self Released)

Kaoteon is an East-West international extreme metal collaboration. Hailing originally from Beirut in the Middle East where they faced censorship & jail, they are now based in Amsterdam. They’ve teamed up with bass wizard Linus Klausenitzer from Obscura and drum master Fredrik Widigs from Marduk as guests on their new album, Damnatio Memoriae due out on February 23rd 2018.

Those who enjoy their black metal that little more brutalising will find Kaoteon’s new offering right up their dark & evil alley. A truly momentous experience, it’s a raging maelstrom of furious riffing, disgusted vocals screams, roars and a bludgeoning approach to bass & drums.

The title track is a horrifying opener, in the sense that it’s so wild & abusive in style that you’ll feel as though you’ve been hit with a sledgehammer. Impossibly heavy but so appealing.

Barren Lands turns up with a more structured & rhythmic approach before Raging HellFire epitomises what it means to deliver ferocity in bucket loads.

Damnatio Memoraie is an experience that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. The untamed aggresive nature of its nine tracks proving that bands can bring intense heaviness but still provide memorable moments without compromising.

The Will is a particular highlight with its death march like beat, the drumming hitting new heights of intensity. As is the sickly combo of Light of Compassion & Into the Mouth Of Kaos. A pair that threatens to shake the very earth to its core.

An impressive album ends with just a little more subtlety in the instruments as the vocals drive the blackness on. It’s a surprisingly effective finish, one that is almost like palette cleanser after a fulfilling meal.

Kaoteon – Damnatio Memoriae Full Track Listing:

1. Damnatio Memoriae
2. Barren Lands
3. Raging HellFire
4. Venom of Exalt
5. The Will
6. Non Serviam
7. Light of Compassion
8. Into the Mouth of Kaos
9. A Breath

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You can order the album via Bandcamp, earlier releases via Amazon above & via Apple Music below. Find out more about Kaoteon on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and check out some of their tracks on SoundCloud and YouTube.