ARSGOATIA – Agitators of Hysteria

In Austria, black metal thrives. Many acts—legendary and new—shape one of Europe’s standout scenes, including ArsGoatia.

 

Hailing from Salzburg, the band has been active only since 2021. However, its members bring a wealth of experience. Vocalist B.R. is a former member of Belphegor. Guitarist T.K. and drummer C.K. come from Daeth Daemon. Their debut, Hiding Amongst Humans (2023), already showed strong songwriting. With their sophomore effort, Agitators of Hysteria, they raise the bar even higher.

 

Black metal remains the dominant force, but the sound is enriched by elements of death metal and even touches of heavy metal. The result is a surprisingly diverse and cohesive sound. Aggression is ever-present and can be heard in the opening tracks Anointing of the Sick and Empty Eyes Creation. Yet, this aggression is often tempered by atmospheric passages. These stand out with more tribal-leaning rhythms and expressive, clean vocals that blend seamlessly into the mix. This dynamic resurfaces in Cunt and Cocaine and Coronation Oath, where the atmosphere grows even deeper. The twelve-minute track, The Beating Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, encapsulates the band’s full range of ideas in a single, ambitious statement.

 

The performance is anything but underwhelming. ArsGoatia has crafted an album that never feels dull or repetitive. The music is constantly enriched by unexpected twists, solid production, and a well-balanced mix of influences. Agitators of Hysteria stands as another strong entry in their discography and sets them up for a promising future.