Filthy Music Review - 'Sidious: Ascension to the Throne ov Self'

Sidious – Ascension to the Throne ov Self (2013)

Kaotoxin Records

Review by Jude Felton

Sidious are a new band straight out of the UK. However, although new in this carnation, the band members that make up this malevolent spirit are not. Two of the band also plays in Eye of Solitude, who is also on Kaotoxin Records, and the band itself was spawned from what was once Seeds of Detest. What is most important though, is not the past; it’s the present and future that we need to pay attention to. In this respect we are in for a hell of a ride.

Ascension to the Throne ov Self is a blistering assault that combines harsh death metal with the more symphonic aspects of black metal. The result is an aural assault that rarely lets up during the four tracks on display here.

This is a caustic display, one that sets out Sidious’s intentions for the future, and judging from this EP I would offer to say that the future is indeed bright. Well, as bright as this furious blend of death and black metal can be.

Right from the start Ascension to the Throne ov Self delivers incredibly tight music, with the excellent production from Russ Russell allowing all aspects of the music to breathe. Nothing overshadows anything else here, and that in itself is quite an achievement due to the many layers that comprise each song. The blast beats compliment the coarse vocals, with the guitars and keyboards leading us on this dark journey. This is an incredibly accomplished first outing for Sidious, of that you can be sure.

What you will need though, is a few spins of the EP to get the most out of it. You are not going to be hit by songs that immediately stick in the mind. There may be a heavy symphonic element to the music, but due to the technicality and depth to the music it needs to be fully digested in order to get the most out of it. Believe me though, it’s well worth it.

Ascension to the Throne ov Self offers up a tantalizing taste of what is to come, when Sidious decide to put out a full length album. Having only being around, as a band, since late 2012, this is a terrific portent of things to come. Brace yourself for this whirlwind of hell.

Track List:

01. Insurmountable Mass
02. Sentient Race 
03. Nihilistic Regeneration
04. Ascension To The Throne Ov Self 

Ascension to the Throne ov Self is released by Kaotoxin Records on May 7th (US).