Hailing from Belgium we have Sercati, a band formed in 2009, and they have in their curriculum two demos, two full-lengths and the EP In the Shadows of Sidewalks, released in 2015. As the cover shows, this EP is part 3 of a conceptual series of works called “Tales of the Fallen”. The Rise of the Nightstalker, the second full-length, is part 2 and first full-length Tales of the Fallen is part 1 within the homonymous series.
I assume that we are looking at a conceptual continuum between all these releases, reinforced by a short movie called Poisoned Hunting, directed by Michel Garsou, which tells the story of The Nightstalker, that takes place after the In the Shadows of Sidewalks but also corresponds to the title of Sercati’s second demo, “The Night Stalker”.
This may look a bit confusing, but it’s far from unusual to see bands with concepts that spread along their releases. “In the Shadows of Sidewalks”, the Nightstalker fights one of Lucifer’s soldiers called the Anesthetist, a crazy barbaric entity.
The first song, “Time for Apocalypse”, is spoken word with a piano background. “Chained to Purgatory” maintains the same logic of spoken word, but with electric instrumentation, military drumming style and distorted voice. The concept seems more prominent than the music itself, which is a medium at best. It’s at “The Anesthetist” that the melodic black metal sound blows and can please those who search for highly melodic passages. The last track, “Natural City”, starts with a palm muting riff and extends the sound to notes that recall some epic feel.
In the Shadows of Sidewalks is recommended for melodic black metal fans with a passion for conceptual releases.
Notes:
In the Shadows of Sidewalk was released through the digital market (Wormholedeath / The Orchard) on May 5 2015.
Tracklist:
1. Time for Apocalypse
2. Chained to Purgatory
3. The Anesthetist
4. Natural City
Personnel:
Serpent – Bass, vocals
Yannick Martin – Drums
Olivier Clément – Guitars
Simon Charlier – Guitars (rhythm)
Text by Vetrarnótt
I assume that we are looking at a conceptual continuum between all these releases, reinforced by a short movie called Poisoned Hunting, directed by Michel Garsou, which tells the story of The Nightstalker, that takes place after the In the Shadows of Sidewalks but also corresponds to the title of Sercati’s second demo, “The Night Stalker”.
This may look a bit confusing, but it’s far from unusual to see bands with concepts that spread along their releases. “In the Shadows of Sidewalks”, the Nightstalker fights one of Lucifer’s soldiers called the Anesthetist, a crazy barbaric entity.
The first song, “Time for Apocalypse”, is spoken word with a piano background. “Chained to Purgatory” maintains the same logic of spoken word, but with electric instrumentation, military drumming style and distorted voice. The concept seems more prominent than the music itself, which is a medium at best. It’s at “The Anesthetist” that the melodic black metal sound blows and can please those who search for highly melodic passages. The last track, “Natural City”, starts with a palm muting riff and extends the sound to notes that recall some epic feel.
In the Shadows of Sidewalks is recommended for melodic black metal fans with a passion for conceptual releases.
Notes:
In the Shadows of Sidewalk was released through the digital market (Wormholedeath / The Orchard) on May 5 2015.
Tracklist:
1. Time for Apocalypse
2. Chained to Purgatory
3. The Anesthetist
4. Natural City
Personnel:
Serpent – Bass, vocals
Yannick Martin – Drums
Olivier Clément – Guitars
Simon Charlier – Guitars (rhythm)
Text by Vetrarnótt