Album Review: Clactonian – Everlasting Paleolithic

Band: Clactonian
Album: Everlasting Paleolithic
Release date: March 28th, 2025
Country: Finland/Italy
Label: Prehistoric Sounds
Format reviewed: High-quality digital recording

Album Review: Clactonian – Everlasting Paleolithic via Prehistoric Sounds by Ask

Sometimes when the first note of an album is struck, you already know the whole album will be great. It is the balance, the feeling, a world that opens in that first distorted chord. Everlasting Paleolitic by the Italian/Finnish band Clactonian has that quality. It is their second demo, released in cassette format; a single of two tracks, together only 5 minutes and 44 seconds of playing time. Yet the impact of their short offering is great.

Since their debut Dea Madre, also a demo but in EP format, Clactonian have clarified the intention with their paleolithic theme in a manifesto, explaining the seeking of the ancient in the present, the growing of new deep roots in the old. In Dea Madre I could already feel a hint of that, but Everlasting Paleolithic is permeated by a core of primal energy. A presence of something deep, ancient and everlasting fills the room from the first note to the last.

The heavy drum work plays a big part in creating the deep, hollow atmosphere of ancient caves and rock art. They echo through the composition as in an ancient ritual dance, still they don’t divert attention from the guitar work. A heavy wall of distorted and fairly dissonant guitars build up most of the atmosphere, while break out solos add a feeling of ecstasy as ancient spirits gather to participate. There is a steady presence of a warm bass line that embraces the higher layers and gives a feeling of solidity and endlessness to the mix.

The vocals are on the weaker side, and the heavy cave ritual could have benefitted from stronger and maybe more versatile vocals. However, I appreciate the minimal processing that have been done to the vocals, and the honest feeling that is present all through the arrangement. It would have ben easy to add ambience with effects, but Clactonian keep their metal raw and clean, honouring their pledge to the primal, ancient and everlasting.

With this impressive development from the first release to the second; in philosophy as well as instrumental skill and ambience, the future belongs to paleolithic black metal of death, for sure. I am already anticipating the profound effect of a full-length album. 8.5/10

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8.5/10 To Greatness and Glory!
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