Kathaaria – To Be Shunned by All... (2022) Album Review

Label: End All Life Productions
Released: September 23rd, 2022
Genre: Black Metal
Released Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl

Country: Germany

Line Up:
Drums, Vocals – Jhn
Guitar [All Strings], Bass [All Strings] – Opolus
Voice [Additional] – Claudia Sauer, Opolus
Lyrics by Opolus

Tracking List:
SIDE A
A1. Agenda Nihil 06:39
A2. The Last Act of Rebellion 08:23
A3. Degenerate Encapsulate 09:08
SIDE B
B1. The Judas Principle 07:41
B2. Never Dead Enough 09:50
B3. Apathetic 06:54

TOTAL LENGTH: 48:35

A Return from the Void with Blistering Clarity

After 14 years in obscurity, Kathaaria’s return with “To Be Shunned by All… As Centres of Pestilence” is not merely a comeback — it signifies a reckoning. This German duo, known for their cult classic debut “The Complex Void of Negativity” released in 2008, delivers a masterclass in controlled chaos and existential intensity. While black metal often thrives in lo-fi obscurity, Kathaaria demonstrates that precision and raw emotion can coexist harmoniously.

German Shadows, Sharpened Fangs

Released by the reliable World Terror Committee, this six-track album builds upon Kathaaria’s earlier work without merely replicating it. The years of silence have only sharpened their skills. Now fully immersed in a more refined yet still brutal form, the band crafts an album that embodies inner turmoil, isolation, and defiance, all with technical accuracy and a sense of spiritual intensity.

At the forefront are J. (guitars, bass, vocals) and M. (drums, vocals), both of whom are experienced figures in Germany’s underground music scene. Their synergy on this album is undeniable.
While the music feels intentionally crafted, it maintains an organic quality; the riffs are both jagged and melodic, the drums possess an organic yet militaristic feel, and the production balances clarity with atmospheric depth.

Track Analysis: Six Nails in the Coffin of Complacency

✫ “Agenda Nihil” opens with blistering immediacy. Dissonant tremolos and descending motifs intertwine as Gorgorothian blast passages give way to melancholic mid-tempo wanderings. It’s not just a warm-up; it’s a manifesto.

✫ “The Last Act of Rebellion” swings with a grim sense of determination. The pacing feels ritualistic, and the layering of leads adds a cinematic depth. There is resolve in every note, a march toward collapse.

✫ “Degenerate Encapsulate” is sprawling and suffocating. Here, Kathaaria tests the limits of structure, introducing breaks that feel like gasps for air amidst the suffocating barrage. Its nine-minute runtime never drags, thanks to relentless tension and subtle shifts in rhythm.

✫ “The Judas Principle” (one of our favorites) returns to a more martial cadence. The drumming is particularly noteworthy, alternating between blast-driven frenzy and tribal restraint. Vocals snarl with bile, and the leads shimmer through the smoke like buried memories.

✫ “Never Dead Enough” leans into atmosphere. A sense of cold introspection bleeds through its slower, almost doomy crawl. The tension builds through layers of repeated riff motifs, eventually spilling over into a shrieking catharsis.

✫ “Apathetic” closes the album in devastating fashion. Not with fury, but with despondency. It’s the most emotionally raw track on the album — a dirge soaked in disgust and detachment. It doesn’t go out with a bang, but a suffocating embrace.

Kathaaria took control of their own production, and it is evident in the final result.
The sound is tight, natural, and raw. The guitars cut through the mix without overwhelming the rhythm section. The bass is prominent, rumbling beneath with purpose. The drums are dynamic, punchy, and alive, steering clear of a sterile modern sound.
The vocals are prominent yet blend seamlessly into the mix instead of sitting on top of it.

Few modern black metal albums achieve such a balance between clarity and intensity. This is elite-level sound quality for those who appreciate both precision and chaos.

“To Be Shunned by All…” is a perfect fit for the World Terror Committee, which continues to represent the cutting edge of the underground scene. With this release, Kathaaria not only reaffirms their significance but also transcends their previous cult status.

This isn’t just a comeback; it is an evolution. The album feels as if it was crafted in solitude, shaped by years of contemplation, anger, and unspoken disgust. Every note is essential, and every silence carries weight.