Antestor - Martyrium (2000)
This is a remarkable cd for many reasons. Although this is just now seeing the light of day on Endtime Productions, this second release from Antestor is actually their first release as it was recorded before their Cacophonous records debut "Return of the Black Death", not only was it recorded before "RotBD" it was recorded all the way back in 1994! That is amazing considering Christian metal had not yet even begun to experience the sounds of true "black metal" with the exception of Horde. From the moment I heard Antestor they have remained my favorite Christian black metal band. This recording only serves to solidify that. The music here is extremely sorrowful as is the standard for Antestor. They utilize more "death metal" vocals and also more death metal guitar tones. Antestor has a raw guitar sound that really can not be compared to any other band in the genre, Christian or secular. They somehow manage to blend in elements of doom and death to weave an intricate tapestry of pure black metal art. The lyrics on here are all in English so that was kinda cool too. The lyrics are very bold for the Lord retaining a Godly sorrow that permeates every note of Antestors lamenting mournful songs. The vocals alternate between the shrill black serpentine rasp of vocalist Martyr and his deeper more guttural death tone which appears more frequently on this album. This re-release of sorts is hopefully the first of many more Antestor releases to come. Thanks to Samuel at Endtime for putting this out. Fans of Black metal and dark death metal will want to get this at all cost! -- Review by Norm