YSENGRIN / SARTEGOS – RESVRREZIONESPIRITVAL LP (I, Voidhanger Records)

Sincerely hope I spelt that correctly. Ysengrin is now halfway through a quadrilogy of split releases, which to date have proven to be a very enjoyable distraction from everyday worries about death and decay and blood irons and all the shit that becomes a reality as you age and move ominously closer to the ground.

The delightfully-racist-sounding “Nigrum Nigrius Nigro’ paired the French three-piece with Chilean counterparts Black Grail and was really excellent. I thought I reviewed it but can’t locate any such thing so I either imagined it or my blog is as corrupt as your typical aid worker. Spanish one-piece Sartegos provides the counterpoint on ‘Resvrrezionespiritval’ and, again, it’s a terrific release.

I’ve no idea what the theme or concept behind this series of unions is but the enthusiasm, passion, sincerity and authenticity of both acts shines through here and the record is immensely enjoyable despite its low-key and understated status.

Evilometer: 666/666