KATAXU
Ancestral Mysteries

For a long time Ive wanted to get around to writing on Hunger Of Elements by Kataxu, the one man band from Poland. That record is one of a rare few that walks gracefully in the shadow of Emperor's symphonic majesty, conjuring epics to hold a candle to classic In The Nightside Eclipse. So imagine my excitement and surprise, suddenly after sixteen years of silence, Kataxu returns! Structured with another six tracks, three lengthy metallic tracks either side of three astral symphonic interludes, it seemingly had all the markings of that album I've adored since my youth. Sadly, Ancestral Mysteries doesn't hold up to expectations. With that in mind, maybe I lost the ability to enjoy this for what it is? On closer inspection however, It does seem like the showering of magic its predecessor offered is nowhere to be heard.