A quality split is something that comes in many different forms as it can be from many different bands that can effortlessly create a different concoction from all the rest by nothing more than pure happenstance and nothing else. It’s always nice to see some tons of thought and planning go into any given split as it can make for a tremendous collaboration the likes of which we would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere, but there’s nothing wrong wtih two bands jamming out together on a split, putting themselves out there, and simply having a damn good time doing it. Black metal has long been a sound known for both, and even though the new split effort from Solt and Obsidian Shrine is anything but mindbreaking in its concepts and approaches, there’s nothing about these six tracks that I would dare alter.

Three tracks for each band are what we’re presented with for the whole of the devilish creation that is “Consortium in Diaboli”, and it’s by the end of the joint effort that I feel as though we’re given quite a good summation of both what Solt and Obsidian Shrine throw down outside of this creation. Each are more than proficient in their particular vein of black metal with both managing to stay apart just enough but are more than adept at bringing it all together for a massive overall performance that works off each halves magnificently. Solt is first up to the occasion with their half offering us a variety of black metal that is not afraid whatsoever to pull from other styles like thrash, death metal, and even a little bit of punk for real good measure. Quickly, Solt makes itself known as a voracious and blistering act that holds nothing back, is far from afraid to shed blood in order to get their point across, and is a real treat to get sucked into. With a sound that’s definitely more focused on black metal more than anything else and just as vicious as its predecessor, Obsidian Shrine has the power to black out the very skies should it choose to do so. There is real terror and evil within the final three tracks of “Consortium In Diaboli” as Obsidian Shrine’s particular breed of black metal is that which fans of the sound will know exceedingly well: fast, unyielding, and out to destroy all that is good in this world. Done to tremendous effect with no stone left unturned and every opportunity maximized to the fullest, both Solt and Obsidian Shrine have made a magnificent split that goes for the throat right out of the gate and never stops until you’re left a hollowed out husk of useless flesh begging for salvation that will never come.

The underground is absolutely littered by splits of all kinds across all different styles, and creations like what we have here with “Consortium in Diaboli” is precisely what I’m always looking for. Never a missed chance for dark greatness nor does either band drop the ball for so much as a microsecond, I’ll be sure to keep an eye on both Solt and Obsidian Shrine from here on out for if this is what they’re able to produce on just a split then I shudder what can come about from a proper full-length.

LISTEN to “Consortium In Diaboli” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Solt on Facebook here.

LIKE Obsidian Shrine on Facebook here.