EP Review: Sathamel – Opposition To Life (Self Released)

Hailing from Yorkshire in the UK, blackened death metal band Sathamel released their latest EP, Opposition To Life, on the 1st of November 2024.

Opposition To Life is the bands first non single release in a fair few years with their previous release, their debut full length album, Horror Vacui, coming out in 2019. The band changed a lot over that time, as we all did really especially through the Covid years. Sathamel came out with a changed line up, and dropped some of their visual aspects, like corpse paint, to focus on their music. It seems to have worked for them with a more unified band and a sound that has grown in confidence and power since their return.

So with them back properly now, they have had a busy couple years with plenty of singles released and an appearance at Bloodstock Festival 2024 where they were offered a slot on the New Blood Stage through a CD submission. We were there to watch their set and they were stunning live, comfortably backing up their on record sound. Now, as 2024 closes for us all, Sathamel ends what must surely be seen as a successful year for them with an EP containing a couple new tracks as well as those previously released singles.

Sathamel is Daniel Kalinowski on vocals, Nathan Caven and Patrick Cotter on guitars, Dale Brown on bass and Michael Robinson on drums.

Opposition To Life comes with 5 tracks of monstrously meaty metal on it, kicking off with one of the earlier singles, and all round banger, Take the Rot. Heavy and intense, it’s a beast of a track with superb drums, powerful vocals and big riffs. The intertwined melody of lead guitars adds another dimension to the song, as does the change ups in pitch of the aggressive vocal style. It flows really well with the melodies gluing each section together nicely. It’s also a really nicely balanced song with no one instrument overpowering another – each drum hit, each vocal line or hot of a string can be heard clearly, combining to make a song that is angry and one that will have your neck working overtime.

O, War is a superb track, it starts with an instant blast of raw power and aggression before settling into a song that delivers an intense rhythm delivered through those crushing drums and visceral vocals. Blast beats and insane riffing make up the verses while vocals rip out at speed before a little melody starts winding in. There is a lot of variety on this cleverly written track which twists and turns, always staying heavy but varying the pace, the pitch and bringing melody in and out. It’s a stunning song.

Perennial Flock delivers more of the same, which is fine when that same is crushing and exhilarating metal. Hitting hard in verses but dropping a big dollop of groove in as well, its a headbanger of a track at points, a swirling mosh pit track at others. A special treat comes with it’s extended instrumental section which also packs a solid solo.

Ad Nauseam is our penultimate track and no surprises for guessing it;s another heavy one. I don’t think we are getting an acoustic ballad from Sathamel here. The blackened edge to the band comes through in waves here with an extra punch of darkness in the riffs and the melodies. Vocals rip, drums are intense as Sathamel continue to hit the high bar they set for themselves across this impressive release. We close out the EP with the title track, Opposition to Life and it’s a really impressive demonstration of where Sathamel are as a band today. Well written, and flowing as it moves through different passages using melody to pull you along in it’s wake. The drums, bass and rhythm guitars lay a murky and intense foundation for the vocals and lead guitars to do their thing.

Heavy as hell, yet somehow managing to stay insanely listenable and, dare I say it, even catchy! Sathamel seem to have found a place of contentment where everything is falling into place through their dedication and hard work over the years. If Opposition to Life is a sign of things to come from Sathamel, we are all in for a treat. A heavy, neck breaking, mosh pit destroying treat of blackened death metal of the highest quality.

Support these guys, grab a copy of Opposition to Life from them on Bandcamp or check it out digitally at the links below.

Sathamel Links

Bandcamp – Facebook – Instagram – YouTube – Spotify – Amazon Music – Apple Music