Originally written by Jason Jordan.
Occasionally a band will categorize themselves with several genre tags, and Sarpanitum’s self-proclaimed brand of “brutal blackened death metal” is indeed the most apt description for their 36-minute debut Despoilment of Origin. Similar to Nile, Behemoth, and fellow islanders Mithras, this is certainly an impressive piece of work for a unit that’s only existed since 2003.
While there’s definite genre-blending occurring, ostensible influences do rear their heads during certain moments. For example, the opening riffs of “Seducing the Phallus Throne” are quite reminiscent of Behemoth, and perhaps other Polish outfits, though the overall soundscape may remind some of a less dense Nile. It’s also worth noting that the drumming is like Mithras in style, tone, and consistency, which is not a coincidence considering Mithras’ live drummer, Sean Broster, sits atop the drum throne. The low growls are a fitting match too – even the gurgling ones that have that chunky diarrhea sound that brutal death groups are so fond of. Anyway, as Despoilment of Origin continues, Sarpanitum include other elements such as higher-pitched vocals and riffs in “Provocation of an Eternal Odium,” “Cur Defilement,” and “Dawn of Enthrallment” to reach a blackened feel. “Dusk over Assyria,” a two-minute interlude, provides brief respite from the onslaught, but most of the material is fast, hard-hitting multifarious death metal.
Nevertheless, Despoilment of Origin is slightly top-heavy because the longest songs, except for the closer, appear before the shorter ones. Otherwise, registering complaints about the band and/or album seems pointless when they got so much right on their first try. Nice job, Sarpanitum.
