Sathanas / Nunslaughter – Torn Apart [Split 7″ EP]

Artist: Sathanas / Nunslaughter
Country: USA
Label: WolfKult Religion
Formats: Split 7″ EP
Year: 2025

Considering they both have existed since the 80’s, they have expansive discographies and the sheer number of splits released by both bands, it’s nothing short of a miracle that it took until 2021 for a split between Sathanas and Nunslaughter to materialize. Titled ‘Torn Apart’, the single doesn’t feature  covers of the Carnage (or Dismember if you prefer) song, but instead contains re-recorded tracks from the vast catalogues of both bands. Indicative of the friendship between the bands, both bands feature one song with guest vocals done by the vocalist of the other band. After seeing a cassette release of these recordings in 2021 on Nunslaughter Records, it now falls on the shoulders of Wolfkult Religion to present this split of the 7” EP format.

Sathanas re-recorded two tracks, and first up is ‘Sathanas’, originally released in 1996 on ‘Black Earth’. Compared to the original it’s mostly the production that’s rather different. The recording production on ‘Torn Apart’ is cleaner, with a lower tuned guitar sound that draws close to vintage Celtic Frost. While still distinctly infusing their Death Metal with Black Metal elements, the latter part is less prominent than on the original. The same goes for ‘Winged Black Spirit’ that appeared some 20 years ago on ‘Thy Dark Heavens’. Here, the vocals of Don of the Dead push it even more into a Death Metal direction. What stands out though is that these tracks still capture the Blackened Death Metal of Sathanas perfectly. Despite being decades old, it shows how relevant the band was, back then, and still. Therefore, these new renditions do the band and their history nothing but justice.

The three re-recorded tracks that Nunslaughter presents were originally released somewhere between 2003 and 2012. What is most evident when listening to the updated versions of ‘God Has Lief’, ‘Worst Nightmare’ and ‘She Lives By Night’ is how tight the band sounds these days (well, this was recorded in 2017 but the statement still stands). I have the utmost respect for the legacy of Jim Sadist and I’m sure I speak for many when I say that the Metal scene still misses him dearly. But to be honest, Nunslaughter has never sounded this good. And that certainly goes for the tracks on this Split, of which ‘She Lives by Night’ features Sathanas’ Paul Tucker. Compared to the originals, the tightness of the band mostly is manifested by a slight increase in pace and some more variety in the vocals, and it’s the combination with the great sounding production that makes it worth owning these new recordings. As if the avid Nunslaugher listener needed a reason to own this of course.

Both bands stand for consistency, entertainment, and devotion to Death Metal. This may be a split between friendly bands, but make no mistake about it: Nunslaughter and Sathanas mean business. Great sounding re-recorded tracks now presented on the 7” format. Get yours before it’s too late!