The Summary Judgment Reviews:
Title: Perdition Splits the Skies
Artist: Pathos
Label: Intolerant Messiah
Release Date: 2003

Rating: 3 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Lugubrious (1/9/04):
    Pathos is a band at first glance seems to be just another clone among the hundreds. At first listen I was nothing short of annoyed. The vocals are in typical Black Metal fashion, reminiscent of Maniac from Mayhem fame. Musically this band is similar to those legends of the Great North we all either love or hate. Yet when giving the album another spin, I began to hear something more, a little thing that is not very common nowadays, referred to as originality.

    It seems it is safe to say this is very much due to the talents of one Abe Kenney, the multi-talented bassist who is also familiar with Classical and Flamenco Guitar, and, here is something new in metal, the Sitar. In many tracks, especially the instrumentals "Toward the Precipice" and "Xibalba", the musicianship shines through and excites the senses. I must give this band their credit for originality on the musician's part.

    Yet sadly I must say at times this band annoys the hell out of me. The drums are not very powerful on this album, which is most likely due to the production. Not to mention the scratchy "I-have-something-caught-in-my-throat" vocal style feels like nails on a chalkboard. During certain parts it was difficult on my eardrums just to listen to this, yet during other parts it seemed to fit with ease.

    Of course this band is very young, and for their age they are well ahead of many in the metal world. I would like to hear this band in the future, but honestly feel they should lose a little more of the NSBM sound they seem to have. At least the lyrics do not mention Satan in every other line, so I can't imagine them farting in the woods while wearing corpse paint. This is decent old style Black metal with a Classical Influence, a band that is sure to turn a few heads, but until then they only get 3 out of 5 skulls. One word review: interesting.
    3 out of 5

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