ANAAL NATHRAKH - Desideratum CD

This is Anaal Nathrakh 2014, and this is not The Codex Necro. Thus I was taken a bit by surprise when listening to this, which I feel is the furthest LP they've done from the core Nathrakh sound, but still distinctly theirs. Vanitas had a few instances of intense melody like you'll find on Desideratum, but they've added quite a few breakdowns and more electronics than before. Melody, breakdowns, and electronics don't sound overly exciting for someone into music as extreme as Anaal Nathrakh, but it's done well and I feel adds another niche to their canon.

Overall it’s a phenomenal album and easily surpasses the last two, being more of a complete package than Vanitas and Passion – it’s filled with great songs that are bound to end up on future setlists. It might not offer a great amount that’s new, but with the song writing as great as ever, a more exciting epic sound, more solos and an increase in electronics, it’s not just another Anaal Nathrakh album, and they’re as essential as they’ve ever been.