Splits usually go unnoticed, unless the bands who participate on them are noteworthy to begin with. On rare occasions, the bands are good enough that they earn a fanbase by the strength of their contribution to the record. While not the best split ever recorded, this one between EMBRIONAL and EMPHERIS is above the pale. EMBRIONAL play a cross between ORIGIN and mid-career MORBID ANGEL - a strange mix, but it works well enough. EMPHERIS, who occupy the B-side of the split, are technically better players, but their music mixes not at all with EMBRIONAL. EMPHERIS is like a strange wedding betwixt the best of old Heavy Metal riffs, and Gothenburg melody. In essence, you might say they're simply a Gothenburg-influenced band, but they're far slower and more Metal than the Gothenburg camp. A couple of cover songs are included as well (EMBRIONAL recorded songs by MAYHEM, SARCOFAGO, PESTILENCE and a SLAYER / MORBID ANGEL / POSSESSED - instrumental mix, while EMPHERIS went for classic stuff by ASSASSIN, THE RAMONES, BLASPHEMY and OBITUARY). Not a bad split, but the divergent styles of the two bands is a little disruptive. www.embrional.republika.pl, empheris@interia.pl, www.oldtemple.com

Nathan Shapiro

< back   |   print   |   report errors