“HE WHO WANTS TO KNOW NEEDS TO READ CAREFULLY.
ASET APPEASES THE THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE.
ONLY THE BRAVE UNVEIL THE RED CURTAIN.
LET THE SPHINX DEVOUR YOU.
YOUR BLOOD IS THE WINE THAT FILLS THE RAPTURE.
DARE THE ASTRAL AS YOU CRAVE FOR DOMINATION.
AS OSIRIS DISMEMBERED,
CHALLENGE YOUR FAITH IN ASET INFINITE PASSION.”

ASET is a newly formed black metal band that I’ve been looking forward to cover  here.
Comprised of members of two great bands – Seth and Oranssi Pazuzu, their debut ‘Astral Rape’ will be released on September 22nd via Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Productions.

The debut offers seven tracks of occult black metal that sound both orthodox and aggressive, mysterious and at the same time extremely direct with their messages. If you’ve ever wondered what the offspring of French black metal band Seth and Finland’s Oranssi Pazuzu might sound like –  well, now you certainly could witness this magic.

Dedicated to the Egyptian goddess of life and magic, Isis („ASET“ in Egyptian, hence the band’s name itself), the project fully dedicates itself to the complete immersion  into  Egyptian occult rituals with the clear awareness and message that the astral obeys the strong and devours the weak .
Combining the aggression and harsher black metal of Seth with elements of Oranssi Pazuzu’s avant-garde psychedelic style, debut album ‘Astral Rape’ presents a full-blooded foray into the astral spaces filled with violence, darkness and enlightenment.

I also have to point out the great work on the layout of the physical media – you know I’m basically a „cassette girl“, but in this case the CD’s and the vinyl are laid out in a charming way that fully suits the mystique that awaits you during listening on the album. From the cover itself to every little detail in the booklet with the lyrics and additional visuals – the presence of something vibrant  is felt even before the first chords come to life.

The album opens with the ritualistic chant and drawn-out guitars of „A Light In Disguise“, which gradually transitions into a furious vocals, rapid tremolo and drums that undergo various metamorphoses throughout the song. Initially sounding orthodox and more aggressive, the song incorporates some of Oranssi Pazuzu’s characteristic fast-paced and playful guitar elements into the instrumental, which lend a special nuance to the otherwise harsher track. Covering the theme of the chimera and the majesty of the most ancient creature opening the portal to the Astral, the song permeates the Temple, captivatingly recreating the very atmosphere through the lyrics and ushering in a mind-boggling story.

Following the story further, in „Abusive Metempsychosis“ the soul of the protagonist passes into the world of the dead, marching in rhythm with the power of Osiris, who possesses space and forcibly guides him through the shadow world beyond on the path of his rebirth. The track begins with a traditional raw black metal instrumental with cutting tremolo and drums, gradually joining more unusual drum and guitar melodies that distort the sound and lend authenticity to the record. Giving way to them periodically or merging with them entirely, the more melodic and aggressive black metal is always present, along with the ritualistic atmosphere of ASET.

„Bow to the Sun of my glory
Withdrawing
Your will and soul
As the low tide under Astral slavery
Leave and disappear…“

In the following pieces, the story continues and contains many interesting moments.
I would like to draw special attention to the sixth song from the album „Force Majeure“, the lyrics of which were actually written by the French occultist, cabalist and physician Papus. It is a song with a very strong energy, through which you will be completely immersed in the true magic of the band. The text is taken from „The Divina-tory Tarot“ and represents the fifteenth card of the „Book of Toth“, which has often been associated with the Devil, but for Papus has the meaning of the intervention of the Egyptian god Set in the affairs of men by means of ominous disasters, drastically changing  lives and revealing  the true nature of people. Hence the name of the card, „Force Ma-jeure“. The song begins with a haunting ritualistic intro, transitioning into a massive and outspoken vocal outburst and raw instrumental with psychedelic guitar elements in the background. In some parts of the song, the spectacular guitars also come to the fore, adding an ethereal flavor to the track and a very subtle dynamic between the aggressive approach and the avant-garde heart of the project, definitely leaving an interesting imprint in the mind of the listener.

„Through pain and sufferings
It brings the truth through darkness“

Ending in a glorious way with the album’s longest track, ‘Serpent Concordat’, ASET mark the end of the first chapter of their occult oeuvre. The song demonstrates a real dominance in unison with the demonic forces revealing the knowledge beyond the cosmic abysses and the secrets of the Astral.

„They open any door for me
Unto your heart, unto your soul
I am now able to seed
And betray the plan of God“

Through its seven tracks and nearly 54 minutes of duration, Aset’s debut captivates with aural paintings depicting the dark and powerful energy of the Astral and the divine creatures lurking in its depths, using a combination of the traditional and the psychedelic influences in the black metal we know so far from the musicians’ other endevours, adding new touches as well – a step leading to music that undoubtedly has ethereal avant-garde elements, but at the same time does not leave the boundaries of pure expression, raw aggression and ritualistic mystery in the genre.
Undoubtedly, „Astral Rape“ is a very pleasant surprise that will fascinate fans of the already mentioned bands, as well as orthodox, melodic, wild and aggressive black metal fans who are lurking for something precious out there!

Score: 9.5/10

Favorite song: „Force Majeure“. I even feel that if this song had been placed at the end, it would have given the record even more depth and another special shade to its atmosphere. Wonderful song!

For now, you can listen to a few of  the tracks on the album.

„А Light in Disguise“:

„Abusive Metempsychosis“:

„Lord Of Illusions“:

Band: ASET
Album: „Astral Rape“
Release Date: September 22nd, 2023
Label: Les Acteurs de l’Ombre Productions
Order link: https://bit.ly/43QUzaI