Review: EXIMPERITUSERQETHHZEBIBŠIPTUGAKKATHŠULWELIARZAXUŁUM – Šahrartu

Year: 2021
Label: Willowtip Records
Rating: 8,5/10

The review of the second EXIMPERITUS album was supposed to be released back in February 2022, and I was quite zealously preparing for its writing, having made up some grand scheme in my head. But then everything was fucked up, Bagnik Zine plunged into a year-long dream, and I, of course, have forgot everything I came up with. Therefore, I am starting this review from the scratch, if you know what I mean, and my skills are little rusty now, after a 1-year pause; do not be alarmed if I write nonsense, because I need a little time to swing.

A couple of days ago, “Šahrartu” celebrated its second birthday. Having gifted the Japanese gutfucker Amputated Vein with their debut, the Belarusians took a huge step forward by signing up to Willowtip Records - probably the most famous and elite label of those specializing in technical Death Metal. At the same time, the recording quality and maturity of the music itself have significantly increased. This does not mean that the previous records were "immature". They were simply targeted for more hardcore fans of technical brutal Death Metal. The debut is a unique phenomenon that can break mind of an unprepared listener (and even more so the reader). In a sense, "Šahrartu" is easier to perceive, thanks to its unhurried pace, general reasonableness and a slightly narrowed thematic range. Of course, this is all conditional. The huge texts in Belarusian Latin alphabet in the booklet of the debut hid the infinity of the secrets of the Universe, and ”Šahrartu" offers ”just" an analysis of the phenomenon of existence and of the cycle of life and death. However, even this puts the album ten heads higher than any ordinary Death Metal product. Four songs from the album are one big philosophical argument, in addition to which there are three more pages of the booklet with a separate story, which is necessary for a deeper understanding. The advantages of a physical edition are obvious - buy the CDs!

Musically, all this still has similarities with NILE and MORBID ANGEL, which are gradually being replaced by unique style. The slowness of the music doesn't mean it's boring, because it is a multi-layered work that you can and should listen to. Instead of some individual fragments or properties, I would like to note the powerful atmosphere of mystery and antiquity, which is one hundred percent consistent with the theme of the album.

As a result, we have a truly intelligent Death Metal with great ambitions, which can only be welcomed. And, even better, it is made in Belarus. The CD edition contains a booklet with all the lyrics and a beautiful cover by Pär Olofsson. Details on a video. The album is dedicated to all those who suffered during the attempt of revolution in 2020, and I do not know what else you need to realize that EXIMPERITUS deserve your support.