THE WRETCHED END was formed in 2008 as creative collaboration between Samoth (EMPEROR / ZYKLON) and Cosmo (MINDGRINDER). Samoth and Cosmo have previously worked together on the infamous deathpunk project SCUM. Cosmo has also played with Zyklon on bass when ZYKLON toured Europe as special guest for MORBID ANGEL in 2001. The two have long spoken about collaborating on an extreme metal project. Most of the material for the debut album was composed throughout 2008, and by spring 2009 a full pre-production consisting of 11 tracks was recorded. In the summer of 2009, Swede Nils Fjellstrom (DARK FUNERAL, IN BATTLE, AEON) was confirmed as the drummer. The drums were successfully recorded in Strand Studio, Oslo, September 2009. The album recording continued through the end of 2009 and was completed in the first half of 2010. The recording line-up consists of Samoth on lead and rhythm guitar, Cosmo on lead and rhythm guitar, bass and vocals and Nils Fjellstrom on drums.
Review
Failure is not an option for this trio since "Ominous" isn't afraid of showing its true intentions right from the start. Armed with a deadly sound production, this project's debut album presents a mixture of modern Thrash/Death Metal with some Black Metal touches. Sammoth proves that he is a talented guitarist once again, while Cosmo accompanies him with his lethal six string weapon (as well as his four string) and Fjellstrom completes this disharmonic orchestra with his sick drumming. Of course, the comparison between this project and ZYKLON is kind of unavoidable, since you will find some common elements in the music of these two bands. The fact is that ZYKLON is a bit more chaotic, while Sammoth has paid more attention on creating solid as fuck song structures here, with "Ominous" being a pretty "concrete" album. - Metal Temple 4/5
