Artist: Kos
Country: USA
Label: Elf Eggs
Formats: Demo Tape
Year: 2025
Although I tend to keep a close eye on the Elf Eggs label and I wrote a favourable review about Kos’ debut demo earlier this year, this new demo had to be brought to my attention; I had actually missed it. I was particularly enamoured by this project’s resemblance with such acts as Von, Demoncy, Witchcraft, Beherit and the likes. ‘Demo MMXXV’ was a modest masterclass in chunky and utterly unrefined Black/Death Metal. Yet, ‘Crawling Noxious Spells’ almost sounds as if this is another band’s recording…
Well, that might be just a bit of an exaggeration. But still, ‘Crawling Noxious Spells’ really is quite a departure from the sound of its predecessor. ‘Demo MMXXV’ was rough, dark, muddy, rather slow and brutal to the core. This newest offering has still some of that, but it’s riffing and overall sound is much “lighter”. The muddiness and the rugged production are traded for a more open sound that gives room for the actual riffs to shine. The repetitive and at times even rocking nature of the music get the leading role on this 20+ minute demo.
What didn’t change, however, is this project’s penchant for sheer ruggedness. ‘Demo MMXXV’ showcased that in an utterly terrifying, guttural roar, while ‘Crawling Noxious Spells’ takes it to a more to a punky, stripped down sort of barbaric evil. More or less as if Akitsa or Bone Awl had sex with Black Witchery after a romantic candle light dinner. That romantic side, by the way, shows in the addition of some pretty solid Dungeon Synth in the middle of this demo.
Honestly, quite a surprising twist for Kos, but most definitely one that I appreciate. Like most of Elf Egg’s releases, this one too is rather limited and especially if you’re living somewhere else but the USA, it might take a bit more effort to find it. But, it is quite worth it. If you’re interested in Akitsa’s love affair with Black Witchery, that is.
