The
Shatter EP is a companion piece to
Triptykon's awe-inspiring debut album,
Eparistera Daimones, collecting a trio (or better yet, a triptych) of studio tracks that, for multiple reasons (poor quality not being one of them), got left off the already jam-packed long player, along with a pair of live renditions of ancient classics by
Tom G. Fischer's legendary former band
Celtic Frost. As such, the EP is clearly targeted at serious
Fischer devotees, but that in no way discredits the quality of the material, which ranges from the surprisingly immediate title cut (a hypno-gothic death march, replete with angelic female vocals), "I Am the Twilight" (a simple, but monumental doom grind), and "Crucifixus" (a thrumming ambient/electronic piece featuring cryptic chants, to boot). In short, there's no lack of inspiration or imagination to be found among them, and even if there were, the rejuvenated ensuing covers of
Celtic Frost's "Circle of the Tyrants" and "Dethroned Emperor" (both captured live during
Triptykon's headline performance at the April 2010 Roadburn Festival) provide the perfect icing for this particular sonic cupcake, making it an irresistible morsel for famished metal-heads of discerning palates, and a worthy addendum to
Triptykon's acclaimed debut album. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia