Tetanos Mystique

French death/black metal battalion Mithridatic are back with another relentless assault attacking your ear canals. Teaming up again with one of the best extreme metal labels of our times (XenoKorp) potential listeners can rest assured that the overall quality of the product is top notch. When reviewing the predecessor “Miserable Miracle” I had the impression that the death metal portion has been clearly dominating. While this is still valid for the most part “Tetanos Mystique” seems to sit a bit more between the tables with additional blackened details and harmonies having found their way into the overall mix.

The riffs are hitting hard and furiously and while it might be open for discussion if the world needs another album in this particular style the quality is out of question. The main chords have been forged with so much precision that I could not help but think some of the bigger names should take notice and learn a lesson or two from this pretty unknown but highly talented band. The lead guitar harmonies are permanently pitched against the driving main riffs lending the whole music and ultimately uplifting character. The black metal undertone helps highlighting the epic nature of the whole affair giving the music an additional edge. Working with two guitarist helps to keep the songs fresh and intense by cleverly weaving different nuances into the overall sound.

Beside the spectacular guitar work also the rhythm section has to be mentioned. The drumming is absolutely precise following the main patterns of each song and highlighting several sections where an extra portion of intensity is needed. “Tetanos Mystique” is not so much an album for showing off any instrumental wankery (although there are enough brutal blast-beat sections) but presenting a stringent piece of music dragging the listener into a dark and melancholic world. The soundscape created by the themes in the background is very sinister and works as basement for the riffing and the hard hitting grooves.

While the instrumentation is top notch there are no too flashy or overly technical sections just for the sake of it. From the first note onwards it is pretty obvious that the intention of Mithridatic has been to take some of the best pieces of the genre and put them back together while injecting a little bit of their own DNA. There is nothing really new or groundbreaking here but the music is just so powerful and fresh that I really do not care about that. The songwriting is compact and on point without any unnecessary lengths or boring parts. The tracks flow into each other in nice fashion making the thirty seven minutes go by without noticing.

The production is modern but packs an immense punch. Mixing and mastering are flawless with all instruments being well balanced. The guitars are thick and crunchy and the drum sound is powerful without sounding like plastic. Rounded off by an atmospheric cover and haunting lyrics “Tetanos Mystique” is an album that should be high on anyone’s list who is into heavy and intense death/black metal. One of the biggest highlights when it comes to extreme metal in 2019 for sure.