Sarcator - Swarming Angels & Flies Album Review
If you’ve been searching for a band that blends the best parts of Thrash and Black Metal, your journey ends here. Swarming Angels and Flies, the third full-length album from Sweden’s Sarcator, is a brutal and brilliant mix of aggression, melody, and technical prowess. Released on January 17, 2024, this album shows a band that knows how to deliver heavy, technically sound music while exploring a variety of styles and tempos.
Featuring Mateo Tervonen on lead vocals and guitars, Felix Lindkvist on bass and backing vocals, Jesper Rosén on drums, and their newest member, Leo Buchalle on guitars, Sarcator delivers an album that feels raw, powerful, and absolutely relentless at times.
The album kicks off with Burning Choir, a track that wastes no time in letting you know exactly what you’re in for. The first riff grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go, with aggression pouring out of both the vocals and the instrumentation. It’s the kind of track that makes you feel like a kid hearing metal for the first time, with that overwhelming sense of discovery and excitement.
Track two, Comet of End Times, keeps the pace with another vicious assault. The riffs and rhythm are tight, and the aggression feels authentic—like it was written to pummel your soul rather than just played faster for the sake of speed.
The title track, Swarming Angels and Flies, is a standout. With mesmerizing guitar harmonies and a killer change-up halfway through, it delivers an almost primal energy that keeps you hooked from start to finish. It’s complex, engaging, and absolutely badass.
The tempo slows for The Deep Ends, a mid-paced track with a "Black 'n' Roll" feel. It’s darker and more deliberate, offering a reprieve from the breakneck speed of the earlier tracks while maintaining an edge.
Where the Void Begins opens with an acoustic riff that builds beautifully. The bassline is fat and punchy, and the layering of instruments creates a song that feels like it’s leading to a massive climax. However, it stays at a slower tempo for most of the track, which might not hit as hard as expected, but still holds its place on the album.
The aggression returns with The Undercurrent. This track hits the ground running with blistering guitars and relentless drumming. Even during a brief mid-tempo section, the guitars continue to push the pace, ensuring the energy never falters.
Track seven, Closure, is one of the most unique tracks on the album. With clean guitars, atmospheric elements, and a gothic feel, it creates an eerie, almost haunting vibe that stands out from the rest of the record.
The album closes with Unto Sepulchres, a pulse-pounding track that brings the chaos full circle. It calls back to the aggression of the opening tracks, ending the album on a high note with blistering riffs and crushing energy.
Overall, Swarming Angels and Flies feels like a journey. The first half is pure aggression and speed, while the latter half offers a mix of mid-tempo grooves and atmospheric moments. It’s almost like listening to two different EPs combined into one album. While this might feel slightly disjointed at times, it showcases Sarcator’s versatility and willingness to explore different dynamics in their music.
Standout tracks for me are Burning Choir and Swarming Angels and Flies for their sheer power and complexity, while Closure proves to be one of the best instrumental tracks I’ve heard in a long time.
Would I recommend this album? 100% yes. Whether you’re into face-melting metal or enjoy bands that aren’t afraid to slow things down and experiment, this album has something for everyone. Sarcator proves they’re a mature band confident in their sound, and this release is a testament to their growth and skill.