Ka'rah’s debut Epitaphs of War is one of those EPs that gets better the more you listen to it. Coming from Zagreb, these guys aren’t wasting any time - they’ve been around only since 2022, but this EP really shows they’ve got something to say. It’s raw, it’s aggressive, and it pulls from the old-school thrash scene but gives it a modern death metal edge. So yeah, there’s a lot happening here.
The guitars hit hard - no doubt about it. You can tell they’re influenced by that ‘80s thrash style, with fast, intense riffs that really get your head banging. But at the same time, they’re adding in some of those modern, more technical death metal elements that make you want to keep listening to catch everything. It’s like the best of both worlds, honestly. It’s not just a nostalgia trip - it feels fresh, and they’re definitely carving out their own sound.
The drums, too - they’re doing their job. You get the blast beats, of course, but it’s not all about that. The pacing is actually pretty interesting. They’ll keep it fast for a while, then pull back a bit, creating these little waves of energy. Yeah, sometimes it’s a bit abrupt, but I like that it doesn’t get too repetitive.
Now, let’s talk vocals. David’s growl is pretty solid - there’s a lot of depth there. It’s not the cleanest, but it works. You get the sense that there’s control behind it, not just random noise. It doesn’t drown out the music, either. And honestly, you can make out what he’s saying, which can be rare in this genre. It gives the album a bit more clarity, even if it’s still very much in the heavy, guttural zone.
The way they mix thrash with death metal is something I actually appreciate. It’s not like they’re trying to reinvent the wheel or do something overly technical - it’s just a good, solid mix. You’ve got the fast parts, the slower breakdowns, and everything in between. It’s not perfect, but it works for a first EP. I’ll take it.
There are some rough edges here and there. Transitions between parts can feel a bit too sudden, and a couple of sections don’t flow quite as smoothly as they could. But hey, it’s their first release, and these kinds of things are usually fixed over time.
At the end of the day, Epitaphs of War is a really good debut. It’s aggressive, it’s heavy, and it shows a lot of promise. If they keep pushing forward with this sound, they could go far. Definitely a band to keep an eye on. For now, though, this EP is definitely worth a listen.