UMUR "An Instrument of Darkness" is an EP release by Austrian black metal act Eschaton. The EP was independently released in October 2010. Physical CD copies were available for purchase, but the band also offered digital copies of the EP up for free through their Bandcamp profile. Eschaton were formed in 1998 under the Dominus Satanas monicker but changed their name to the current one in 2002. They released their debut full-length studio album "GodMode" in 2004. "An Instrument of Darkness" is only their second release, so it´s been quiet for a few years on the recording front.

Stylistically the 2 tracks on the 13:30 minutes long EP continue the progressive inclined black metal style of the debut album. It´s hard edged, aggressive, and very well performed, and although there are certainly progressive ideas and structures on the EP, it´s the aggression, the dark atmosphere, and the often death/thrashy riffs, which dominate the music. The vocals are predominantly aggressive raspy black metal snarling, but "Isolated Intelligence" also features some clean vocals. Eschaton would re-record that track and include it as the title track on their second full-length studio album "Isolated Intelligence (2012)".

"An Instrument of Darkness" is a well produced release too, which ensures the best possible conditions for the material to shine. So upon conclusion "An Instrument of Darkness" is a high quality release by Eschaton and while "GodMode (2004)" was a great and promising debut album, there is some clear development of sound on this EP, which makes Eschaton´s music even more interesting. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "GodMode" is the debut full-length studio album by Austrian black metal act Eschaton. The album was originally self-released in July 2004 and distributed on Pro-CDr by Ashen Productions (from November 2005). Eschaton were formed in 1998 under the Dominus Satanas monicker, and released a couple of demos under that name before changing their name to Eschaton in 2002.

The above information may sound like "GodMode" is nothing more than a cheap demo recording, that the band chose to release as an album by themselves because no label would touch it...but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact "GodMode" features a professional, powerful, and well sounding production, which could well put a lot of other album productions to shame. Eschaton are a very well playing act too, and lead vocalist/guitarist L.X. Sethnacht possesses a fierce blackened snarl, which he delivers with both passion and conviction.

Stylistically the material on the 6 track, 30:24 minutes long album is black/death metal with some progressive leanings. While the vocals and some of the tremolo picking and blasting parts are clearly black metal traits, I think there are several more riff oriented death metal moments in the music too, and a couple of more adventurous progressive sections also pop up from time to time. The snare drum sound is rather distinct and also gives associations to grindcore. The material is generally well written, intriguing, and effective, but it´s not an album where I remember all tracks, when it is finished playing, and that is of course a minor issue, but definitely not a huge one in this case.

Considering "GodMode" is more or less a self-released debut album, the quality of the material is quite impressive and add to that high level musicianship, and a well sounding production, and the album does come off as a quality product and a 3.5 star (70%) rating might even be a little too low.

UMUR "Isolated Intelligence" is the 2nd full-length studio album by Austrian black metal act Eschaton. The album is a self-released affair, available from March 2012 as a free download on the band´s Bandcamp page. It´s also possible to purchase a physical digipack version of the album. Eschaton was formed in 1998 under the Dominus Satanas monicker, and released a couple of demos under that name before chaning their name to Eschaton in 2002. They released their debut full-length studio album "GodMode" in 2004 and the "An Instrument of Darkness" EP in 2010.

The music on "Isolated Intelligence" is technically well played black metal. Artists like Dødheimsgard, Code, and when things are most technical Drottnar, come to mind. I wouldn´t exactly call the music tech black metal, but the musicianship is certainly on a high level. The vocals are predominantly aggressive raspy sneering delivered in a very convincing fashion, but there are both female and male clean vocals on the album too. They are not dominant though. The riffs are more defined and thrashy in nature than usual for black metal and as the case are with the above mentioned acts, the use of dissonance and open chords is a big part of the band´s sound.

The 46:25 minutes long album features 5 tracks and right from the opening track "Transcending Satanism" we´re treated to intriguing songwriting and powerful aggressive tunes. Eschaton have struck a perfect balance between aggression and more atmospheric semi-progressive ideas. Even the 15:25 minutes long instrumental "The Black Tunnel" is entertaining and interesting all the way through the pretty long playing time.

The sound production is slightly thin and dry sounding (could have used a bit more bottom), but it´s a minor issue and overall "Isolated Intelligence" is a very impressive release by Eschaton. A 4 star (80%) rating is fully deserved.