NAMTARU (It) – ‘Cult of Ancient Deities’ CD

Named after the ancient Mesopotamian god of death, NAMTARU from Trento, Trentino-South Tyrol, Italy, delivers a style of death metal steeped in Scandinavian black metal lore, mixed with a Middle Eastern/Sumerian vibe. On its nine commanding tracks (including two dynamic instrumentals), the band dutifully combines monolithic and mesmerizing melodies, maniacal blast beats, menacing riffs and diabolical-yet-decipherable guttural bellows.