ALBUM REVIEW: Kaoteon – Kaoteon

For Lebanese blackened death metallers KAOTEON, following up Damnatio Memoriae is no small-feat. With their second album, the duo delivered a terrifying offering, harnessing a stunning blend of black and death metal and bringing chaos and brutality at every turn. But the ambition and creative drive behind guitarist/lead songwriter Anthony Assaker and vocalist Walid Choughari is nothing to sniff at, either. Together, the duo have upped their game considerably, and are set to strike back with their third LP, a self-titled offering.

Kicking things off with lead single Wolves of Chaos, KAOTEON immediately show their growth from Damnatio Memoriae. Make no mistake, here the duo are every bit as chaotic and visceral as they have always been; however, there is a noticeable lean toward memorability and hooks amid the chaos. This carries through not just the opening track, but the entirety of the self-titled effort. Where Wolves of Chaos hints at a more hook-heavy sound, Sun of the East throws down the gauntlet. Inescapably catch melodies, DISSECTION-esque riffing and utterly blinding lead work from Assaker make the record’s second single one of its highlight moments. 

Video singles Broken and Memento Mori, and closing track Acheronta Movebo all keep this catchy brand of blackened brutality rolling ever-forward, but it’s the second-half bruisers Catharsis in Unison and Gardens of Midas that really shine out as the strongest moments on Kaoteon. Catharsis in Unison is heavy on the atmosphere, progressing with a hypnotic, doom-laden stomp while Choughar‘s tortured vocals add to the atmosphere driven by Assaker. With tension building for its entire seven-minute run time, the lack of a pay-off is jarring, but extremely effective. Meanwhile, Gardens of Midas sees KAOTEON double-down on the black metal influence in their sound – to dazzling effect. A clear stand-out track, Gardens of Midas offers up all the emotion and aggression you should expect from KAOTEON, in a delightfully blackened package.

While the entirety of the music is composed by Assaker, his musical performance is limited to the guitars throughout the record. Handling bass duties, KAOTEON enlist the help of long-time friend and collaborated, Linus Klausenitzer of OBSCURA fame, while AT THE GATES legend Adrian Erlandsson handles the percussion. Though Klausenitzer doesn’t quite get the chance to shine in the spotlight here as much as he does in OBSCURA, the rumbling low-end is ever-present, and Erlandsson keeps the tempo high with military precision.

Most artists insist they make music for themselves more than critical acclaim, but when any degree of international success and interest finds them, the music suffers. With more eyes on them now than ever before, KAOTEON prove to be the exception. Their self titled offering is unquestionably their strongest to date, harnessing the atmosphere, brutality and chaos of blackened death metal with a stronger focus on memorability. Where Damnatio Memoriae was an utterly relentless assault, pummelling the listener with its aggression, Kaoteon is maelstrom of darkness, atmosphere and brutality. Here, KAOTEON have hit their stride – and the world is theirs for conquest. 

Rating: 9/10

Kaoteon is out now via self-release. 

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