ACARUS SARCOPT Tarnation CD

Hailing from France, Acarus Sarcopt returned in 2017 with their second full-length album, Tarnation, released via Armée De La Mort Records. Following the comprehensive look-back of their previous compilation, this album represents a more mature and focused realization of their Nihilistic Black Metal sound. The music continues to bridge the gap between cold, traditional aggressiveness and the melodic, melancholic sensibilities that have become the band's trademark. Unlike many of their contemporaries who rely on excessive speed, Acarus Sarcopt focuses on creating a dense, suffocating atmosphere through mid-tempo grooves and sharp, dissonant guitar layers that evoke a sense of urban decay and spiritual ruin. The production on Tarnation is notably clearer and more powerful than their earlier demo material, yet it retains a gritty, organic edge that prevents it from sounding over-processed. Lyrically and conceptually, the album dives deep into themes of misanthropy, the failure of modern civilization, and the inevitable return to nothingness, delivered through harsh, desperate vocals that sit perfectly within the mix. Tracks like the opener L'Ere des Egouts set a grim tone for the rest of the record, blending the raw energy of the French underground with a more sophisticated sense of composition. For those who follow the nihilistic school of Black Metal, Tarnation stands as a bleak and well-crafted testament to the band's enduring vision.