Album Details

• Artist: Antigama
• EP:
Stop The Chaos
• Label: Selfmadegod Records
• Year of Release: 2012
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2012-12-14

Poland's Antigama have been a notable force in the European metal scene for years now, and after spending some quality time releasing a couple of full-lengths for Relapse Records, they've returned to their original label Selfmadegod and recently dropped this EP, Stop The Chaos. The band's practiced and perfected mix of technically precise death and sharp, cutting grind make for a familiar combination, harkening to a multitude of different acts. Over the course of a few short tracks, however, Antigama puts their own mark on the style.

At a little over 15 minutes, Stop The Chaos is an incredibly condensced dose of high-strung, biting metal, featuring sharply accentuated riffs and squeals, a low-register vocal delivery thankfully clear of the stereotypical grunts and snorts of similar acts. The most consistenty impressive aspect of Stop The Chaos is the percussion, provided by new member Pawel Jaroszewicz, who previously spent time in a number of bands, including Nile. His precision-based chaos behind the kit is a fundamental element of what makes each of these tracks a joy to listen to, even if they do end far before they've truly begun. Album closer "The End" is somewhat of a black sheep amongst it's counterparts, a weird bit of industrial ambience that certainly sets a mood but also could have been replaced with more of the good stuff.

In such a short period of time, it's plain to see how Antigama have the tools and ability to create solid, straightfoward extreme metal, low on frills and heavy on traditional thrills. My experience with this band has been nothing but positive from the very beginning, and they continue to impress despite a lineup shift and whatever stresses the label change may have brought with it. 

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