Rithiya Henry Khiev - Eviscerated Realm
Self released
Instrumental Heavy Music
5 songs (23'34")
Release year: 2018
Reviewed by Alex
Surprise of the month

Although the promo sheet claims that the name of Rithiya Henry Khiev is “well-established” among instrumental metal fans I have never heard of this person. What drew me to sampling Eviscerated Realm is the formidable EP title (for an instrumental piece anyway) and the fact Khiev reminded me of my hometown of Kiev, no connection of course.

Whoever Rithiya Henry Khiev is he definitely shows what a talented individual can do with modern tools at his disposal, since I assume all sounds on the EP are his work. For the longest time I have not heard instrumental music so diverse and rich, with all audial frequencies represented and filled in. Speaking of my youth, when Kepler opened up with its exacting syncopated rhythm and zippy space exploration prog melody, I was reminded of what probably now is a long defunct instrumental collective Zodiac from one of the Baltic republics. A shoutout goes to those heroes unafraid to be different in the 80s in Soviet Union. Khiev, however, doesn’t just stay cosmic and attempts to cover a lot more ground. Restrained Escape is more laid back than Kepler, but no less expansive, although it is softer and dreamy. From Research Hindered on, however, the author really lets his uninhibited imagination fly. Whereas most instrumental musicians would be satisfied to be Brainiac progsters, Khiev explores different heavy music realms. Research Hindered is symphonic and, dare I say, blackened with its dirtied guitars. Suddenly dying, but then resurrecting with a folky melody, Research Hindered ends with some jazzy rhythms. Title track goes from acoustic gypsy inspired music to death metal riffs roaring ominously. The martial beat, penetrating solo, Eviscerated Realm the song is practically technical death metal by the time it is over. As much the last three tracks are creative freedom impersonated, the closer Blackened Heart is probably the most diverse. From tribal to symphonic massive to thrashy to symphonic again, the composition eventually becomes apocalyptic traversing through multiple planes. Intricate solos not distracting from the overall flow, Blackened Heart blows out into a soaring spacious epic only to close with some classic inspired chamber music.

To call Eviscerated Realm intriguing would be an understatement. Never ever these compositions become boring and you wish music stopped or vocals were provided for coloration. Short in duration, the EP actually leaves you longing for more, but being economical and concise in this case is a sign of class, not lack of ideas.

Killing Songs :
Excellent from start to finish
Alex quoted 90 / 100
1 readers voted
Average:
 100
Your quote was: 100.
Change your vote

There are 0 replies to this review. Last one on Tue Sep 25, 2018 6:32 am
View and Post comments