CELESTIAL SWORD is an American raw Black Metal project that combines elements of dungeon synth into their output. ERZFEYND on the other hand is a Black Metal band with some synth elements. On the whole this is a decent split released by Morbid Chapel. It does beg the question of their motivation. I’ve known Morbid Chapel Records to have released some filthy Metal at large, this current split is literally the lowest end of the sonic spectrum. CELESTIAL SWORD is as raw and as analog as it gets. Their part of the split sounds like it’s been recorded using a tape machine. The vocals seem to be recorded in a northern forest with plenty of echo and shrill attached. Regardless, the atmospheric bits of CELESTIAL SWORD have to be mentioned, they’re really engaging and add in an excellent layer of comfort in between the raw attack. I don’t have much to go on about here, the project seems to exist with just one purpose of tapping the lowest levels of auditory hallucinations and present them on a CD. In all honesty, it is a little too raw for me. Next up is ERZFEYND, which Metal Archives tells me is the German word for archenemy. I’m sure my editor will jump right in here with his hawk eyes, haha (yes, but it’s spelled differently – the correct spelling would be Erzfeind – Frank). Anyway, ERZFEYND is a straightforward German Black Metal project with vocals that feel like chants from the high skies as they descend through the Norwegian mountains. Again, not very different from the traditional raw Black Metal that we know and love. The vocals however have to be discussed. Absolutely raw and spewing high pitched anger from beginning to end, ERZFEYND have managed to put together a well rounded section of the split that I can get behind. Truth be told, there’s nothing that’s unique or out of the ordinary here. It is the delivery that takes the cake and I have to admit, a great care seems to be given to the overall mountain of sound. A note of caution for anyone who doesn’t like really high pitched vocals but if you like Black Metal at large you have nothing to worry about. For more information, please visit: https://celestialsword.bandcamp.com, www.facebook.com/erzfeynd, www.morbidchapelrecords.com