Theotoxin is one of the most intense black metal bands to date, bringing their unrelenting fiery energy not only on each of their albums, but in front of every viewer’s eyes during their live performances. It is difficult to remain indifferent in the presence of these musicians, and „Fragment : Totenruhe“ is another challenge conceived  with particular cruelty.

The Austrians’ fourth full-length album erupts with opener ‘World, Burn for Us’, the track’s message being more than clear and setting a stark tone for the entire title. All the tracks on the album are ominous and powerful, being composed in a traditional black metal style in the spirit of Belphegor, Naglfar and Marduk.

In addition to this, which is more than an obviously  a huge plus, the album does not lack dynamics – in some of the tracks we have a more pulsating rhythm, contrasting with the one in the more hectic and wild tracks – you will also hear acoustic passages, more ethereal atmospheric guitars in contrast to the fast-paced slashing riffs, as  throughout the duration the  specific Theotoxin chaos that struck me when I first met the band years ago is always there, always lurking.
And not only , adding in a powerful cover of one of my favorite Marduk songs – „Frontschwein“, which sounds especially relevant right now, the album just cuts through with its direct approach and the innate malice it exudes.

Simultaneously deep and furious, the album carries a particular occult atmosphere with philosophical undertones, further accentuated by the cover art by SAROS Collective, in which, if we look closely, we will find a couple of  strong metaphors.

„Fragment : Totenruhe“ is a monolithic black metal title, bursting with fiery energy in typical Theotoxin direct and chaotic, unadulterated form. No fallacy, no frills – Theotoxin come to subdue the listener into  their fierce raging  flames with venomous ruthlessness.

THEOTOXIN – „Fragment : Totenruhe“
Label: AOP Records
Release date: 28.10.2022
Order Link: https://shop.aoprecords.de/de/ 

Some of the tracks are already available for listening: