Review by Nekrist on December 18, 2025.

I think we can all agree on the fascinating evolution that black metal has undergone throughout its decades of existence. It's a style that has managed to stay fresh and reinvent itself time and time again without ever losing its relevance. On the contrary, it seems to be more relevant now than ever, taking on different forms and blending seamlessly with other styles.

Within the prism of modern black metal, many bands breathe fresh air into the genre, which is welcomed by those who truly appreciate metal's evolution and reject its stagnation in trite and archaic sounds. Barshasketh, a band originally from New Zealand (but now relocated to the United Kingdom), is one of those groups that keeps the flame of the most sinister and spiritually charged extreme music alive.

Barshasketh return stronger than ever with their fifth full-length album, titled Antinomian Asceticism, perfecting the formula they've been developing since the beginning of their career. Presenting a modern, ferocious, and at times even technical black metal that fills anyone who listens with adrenaline.

Antinomian Asceticism continues to capture the occult, esoteric knowledge of the serious and well-crafted Left-Hand Path characteristic of many extreme metal bands in these tumultuous times. This album is not only a masterpiece of contemporary black metal but a work that should be appreciated as a whole, from the music and lyrics to the brilliant and impressive cover artwork by Chilean artist Rodrigo Pereira Salvatierra.

The music presented by Barshasketh on this, their most recent album released this year, maintains the high level of composition and skill that these New Zealanders have been delivering for several years now. The production is a key factor to highlight, as it's simply brilliant. All the instruments and vocals breathe and can be heard clearly. The drum performance is my favourite element of the record, given its extremely high technical level, with precise and ferocious blast beats, accompanied by very elegant fills and a devastating double bass drum. The guitars also demonstrate a high level of technique, with chaotic and corrosive riffs typical of modern black metal. Another very important element in this kind of band with a contemporary approach to extreme metal is that characteristic and enigmatic guitar touch that will always be a hallmark of quality. The bass connects the songs from the shadows, providing depth and atmosphere, as well as a refined sense of throbbing within the mix. The vocals are acidic, shrill, and full of hate, an excellent combination that blends perfectly with the rest of the nuances that adorn the album. These nuances are small outros and acoustic/ambient arrangements, along with timid and punctual abysmal choruses that appear futilely here and there.

In conclusion, Barshasketh has once again proven itself to be one of the most consistent bands in the contemporary black metal scene, its name being a seal of assured quality.

Rating: 8.9 out of 10