Sarcophagum - The Grand Arc of Madness

Conduits to the Underworld from 2022 was a great first chapter for Australia’s Sarcophagum, and it showed a lot of promise. It teased open the tomb between the two worlds of Golgothan Remains and Sarcophagum. The two bands share past and current members, but the stylistic similarities end there. The quality of the sound, performances and songwriting was evidence that Sarcophagum were experienced musicians, even if you were not aware of their resume. This Wrought Creation was a monstrous 8 minute standalone single from 2023. It was clear from hearing this that Sarcophagum were extending themselves creatively, and there was a definite increase in the atmospheric department. This was something that has continued and evolved further on The Grand Arc of Madness.

On first listen, a cloud of concern washed over me, and I nearly dismissed this immediately. Not because the quality was poor, but because there had been so many dissonant/discordant death or tech/death bands this year that had released very good albums, namely Ulcerate, Convulsing, Devenial Verdict and Gigan (to name just a few), and I didn't feel that this was going to offer anything more or new, or be any better than the albums that those bands released. This was a mistake though, and I persisted, and I am very glad that I did, because this is a very good album, and it provides enough variety to distinguish them from the sub-cluster that is becoming dissonant death metal.

The Grand Arc of Madness opens with “Ritual Pillars Burn,” and you are welcomed with an atmosphere that wouldn't sound out of place on a dramatic film soundtrack. Then you are hit with a barrage of brilliance. The Ulcerate comparisons, particularly on Cutting the Throat of God or Stare Into Death and Be Still are there, but when the vocals come in, there is a distinct cadence to them, which is really clever, and it does set them apart from the standard growls. The angular riff that weaves in and out of the rhythm section is engaging and intriguing, and the track just evolves and transforms from there. There are nuances with the symbol work that I really enjoy here. The drumming performance as a whole is top tier. There is a really crisp, but heavy tone to the snare, which is well recorded and mixed.

4 tracks over 34 minutes allows Sarcophagum to expand the palette and evolve on each track, and if you settle back into the album and let it absorb you, there is a groove that matches the atmosphere; it is hard to balance those two elements, but Sarcophagum do it very well. There are peaks and troughs within all the tracks and there is enough space to let the instruments breathe. This is something that I did not enjoy about Cutting the Throat of God. It felt claustrophobic and cluttered, too layered and produced. The production on this however is nice and organic, and you can hear it all occur around you.

“Feudal Futures” has a different vocal edge to its opening, and the whole song from there carries more weight than “Ritual Pillars Burn,” with the relentless heavy bass pedal being very effective. “Vermiform” reinforces what has come before it, stamping the potential that Sarcophagum has. There is a patient quality to the songwriting, and there is a level of class bleeding from it, which Golgothan Remains also has. All of this is just the lead up though. A lead up to the title track, “The Grand Arc of Madness.” Everything has been put in place to lead you to this point. The song is a 15 minute behemoth, and you are in for a ride. Opening with an atmospheric part that sounds like it is being played in some sort of temple or ruin. There is a scared, obscene and soul destroying quality to this, with utter contempt for the living. Every instrument has its moment, but I really like the sound of the bass here. When they put the throttle down at the 4:25, the madness really begins, and it is on display for the next 11 minutes.

You can listen to this album over and over again and unpack different things. Those kinds of albums are the best, the ones that grow, and evolve, and become better with time, and I think that Sarcophagum are only just beginning with this. They have the ability to break clear of the stacked dissonant/death cluster that has become the current trend. Sarcophagum are authentic sounding, and The Grand Arc of Madness is very very good.