As one of the bands that made one of my absolute favorite records from last year as well as being an underground staple for all of death metal, Fetid Zombie is more entertaining than ever, and after “Epicedia” I wondered what was going to come next from this artist. Oddly enough, the mastermind of Mark Riddick teamed up once again with Svierg, another one-man band who contributed to “Epicedia”, to create a proper split. Naturally, it’s quite the explosive piece that packs a punch for both death and black metal fans alike.

The thing that really intrigued me about Fetid Zombie was how Riddick manages to incorporate some atmospheric elements to the mix that make his music truly something else that I haven’t seen done in any other form, and that style returns once again for “Once Still Cosmos”. This time, though, Svierg tags along to bring a style of black metal that’s quite dissonant that truly sounds like a reaper calling from the next dimension, beckoning you all the while. And although Fetid Zombie only has three out of the seven tracks (Svierg getting the rest, naturally), both bands use their time masterfully with tracks that over five minutes easily that keep you engrossed in their take on the blackened death with Fetid Zombie even going the distance with a ridiculous ten minute rager that does nothing but satisfies the entire way. Even though this is showed as only a two-way split, both men bring in talents from other groups like Revel in Flesh, Affliktor, and Dispellment to bring even more magic to an already admirable effort whose power can’t be fucking denied. This was also a surprise, mind you. “Once Still Cosmos” was dropped out of fucking nowhere with no prior promotion or teasers leading up to its release, and it’s quite the pleasant surprise if I do say so myself. And apart from this being an incredible split, it also marks the return of Svierg from a damn long break from new material, and if nothing else “Once Still Cosmos” proves that Svierg has still got the drive and the talent to stand tall amongst the likes of a legend like Fetid Zombie as an equal.

There have been some pretty damned memorable splits this year, and “Once Still Cosmos” is easily one of the better ones without a doubt. It’s practically got everything a fan of death and black metal could ask for: a straight up fucking legendary artist and musician returning, the resurrection of a very respectable artist, quality death and black metal that’s no pushover by any standards, and the sheer fun to last for years on end. I had confidence that Fetid Zombie was going to carry this split easily, but I was met with a very nice surprise in the form of Svierg that I will definitely have to keep tabs on in the future, and I advance you to do the very same after hearing this monolithic sample of two glorious bands.

LISTEN to Fetid Zombie’s side of “Once Still Cosmos” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Fetid Zombie on Facebook here.

LISTEN to Svierg’s side of  “Once Still Cosmos” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Svierg on Facebook here.