The Austrian band ArsGoatia started four years ago, featuring former Belphegor vocalist Barth among its ranks, and now they return with their second album, “Agitators of Hysteria.” Like their debut, “Hiding Amongst Humans,” this record was once again produced under the nearly legendary Ván Records.
The chaos erupts instantly with the opener, “Anointing of the Sick.” At first, it’s difficult to follow everything happening, and the vocals take some getting used to. After a few minutes of sensory overload, the atmosphere suddenly shifts, the tempo slows down significantly, and the vocals turn clean. I must say, this mid-tempo section sits quite well with me. But the relief is short-lived—before you know it, you’re thrown right back into the controlled chaos.
Vocally, I can’t quite put my finger on it—who is doing what isn’t entirely clear to me. At times, it leans towards Tom Warrior in his Hellhammer era, yet not quite.
“Empty Eyes Creation” starts off fairly simple, but then suddenly shifts into a very odd drum rhythm before transitioning into something almost Rotting Christ-like. It feels as though the members of ArsGoatia haven’t fully decided which musical direction they want to take.
Maybe it’s just me, but “Cunt and Cocaine” sounds a lot like the previously mentioned Rotting Christ, albeit with a punk attitude. Meanwhile, “Coronation Oath” takes an entirely different turn, diving into thrash territory with near-Slayer-like solos.
The band explores yet another side of their sound with “The Beating Heart is a Lonely Hunter,” where ArsGoatia leans more into ritualistic territory. This 12+ minute track features a constant, almost hypnotic percussion underneath. The ritual reaches its peak during the five-minute interlude, where female voices seem to draw the listener into some kind of ceremony—or something along those lines.
The album closes with “Golden Clit of Abomination,” a 2:30-minute ripper that fades out just as it feels like it could have gone on much longer.
“Agitators of Hysteria” is a chaotic mix of styles and ideas. It’s not an easy album to digest—there are some absolutely killer moments, but the chaotic approach and the lack of a distinct, cohesive sound make it a difficult listen. Production-wise, however, it’s rock solid, and I can appreciate the vocal styles used here.
70/100
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