Thirsting Altar: Reclamation (2024, Independent)

Thirsting Altar is a black metal band formed in Portland (Oregon) in 2019, it currently consists of guitarist and vocalist Joel Henigson (ex-Sea Sleeper), guitarist Samantha Russell (ex-Vela Pulsar), bassist Selina Cleary ( Crimson Altar, Greenseeker) and drummer K.D.. They debuted in 2020 with the interesting EP Ascension, a release with which they became known and which the band released independently.

Four years after Ascension they return to the present with Reclamation, an EP composed of four new songs with which they surprise again by releasing a solid album that in its barely twenty minutes of duration manages to tear down everything in its path. While many might argue that black metal is an established genre in which there is room for little experimentation, and this is something that virtually any listener of the genre will agree with, there are exceptions that manage to break the preconceived molds in extreme metal.

The powerful or ornate Plague Reveries is responsible for opening Reclamation, putting absolutely all the meat on the grill. Here we find infernal blast beats, guttural voices coming from the underworld itself and infernal guitar riffs that will blow your brains out from the first listen. It is a real joy to enjoy this overwhelming display of extreme metal with such a cover, one of the most brutal I have seen in recent years. In addition to the technical display of Joel Henigson on vocals, I want to highlight the praiseworthy work of his bandmates in Thirsting Altar behind the rhythm section, that of their bassist Selina Cleary and drummer K.D., a true gem.

For those looking for a more technical and elaborate black metal, I recommend the dark and cavernous Oblation, a forceful dose of extreme metal in which we find certain elements of American death metal that will be enjoyed by those who need something calmer with which to move their head based on pounding riffs. If, on the other hand, you need something faster and more direct, I recommend Metamorphosis and ultimately Reclamation, the title track of the EP itself. This is where Thirsting Altar delivers exactly what it promises without any kind of allegory, with total transparency, demonstrating what stuff they are made of and, along the way, kicking as much ass as they can. An EP to take into account without a doubt.

Tracklist:

1. Plague Reveries
2. Oblation
3. Metamorphosis
4. Reclamation