Nepali Symphonic Black Metal Kings are back! Kalodin is back with yet another fierce piece of jaw-crushing symphonic black metal! Kalodin consists of Davin Shakya on lead guitars/vocals, Omeo on rhythm guitar, Bikash Rai on bass guitar, and Gobind on Drums with Ashish Senchury doing Session Keyboard and Sanjay Maharjan doing Session Vocals on the EP “Sarv”. “Sarv” translates to “to kill” in Sanskrit. This EP marks the change in the band’s style which depicts traditional musical elements that one will not get to hear on the debut album “The Bestial Ritualism Of Harlotry” along with a few other changes.

Unlike the debut album, this album does not have black metal shrieks. The band has shifted from the traditional style of black metal singing and resided to a more lower-pitched and bass growl, although screams are too audible. Guitarist and founder Davin has too changed his style of playing. He has shifted to ear-deafening riffs and has left behind the melodic solos that were once heard on the debut album. Nevertheless, the presence of the keyboards on this EP doesn’t entirely take away the melody from the EP. The bass guitar is just back there, accompanying the guitars. The most impressing song is the ending track “Trishula” which has featured a sitar player! The drums are in perfect accordance with the songs. It is quite clearly visible that the drumming is not programmed; definitely a fact worthy of praise!

Coming to the very few negative aspects now. The production on the album was average. Clean production like that of Dimmu Borgir would’ve made the EP sound darker. The bass was too inaudible. The EP lacks originality, except on the track “Trishula”.

So the EP is nothing similar to the debut album, yet an outstanding piece of work. Something a listener cannot devour in one hear alone.

Rating: 8/10