30 October 2024

Saratan – The Cult of Vermin

Releasedate: 18-04–2008; Label: My Kingdom Music
By: Sabine van Gameren

The in 2003 formed Saratan is a band from Poland which is making thrash metal. Their name is Arabic for cancer. On April 18th their first full length album “The Cult Of Vermin” went in release.

Saratan makes thrash metal from the old stamp. Testament, Machine Head and Mercyful Fate are influences hearable in their music. Besides that, also doom and death metal influence are present. Their music comes to the fore by their aggression, but not by their originality. Also, in their music they have a lot of breaks.
The band got named “The next big thing from the Polish Scene after the consecration of Decapitated, Benemoth and the legend Vader.”
After listening to this album, I have to say that I really wonder if there is nothing better from Poland in this genre besides the three mentioned names. Don’t get me wrong, it is not complete crap, but I don’t see Saratan as being “The next big thing” yet.
I miss a lot of cogency in their music. When I listen to thrash metal I really want to be convinced of every single word and sound I hear, but this album does not make it happen.

Line Up:
Jarek Niemiec – Vocals, Bass
Adam Augustynski – Guitars
Slawek Kawa – Guitars
Michal Drozdowski – Drums *

* On this album drums are by: Wiktor Niemiec

I. Future is Grim
II. Path of Mistakes
III. Lynch Law
IV. Eclipse (instrumental)
V. Illness we Preach
VI. Never Conform
VII. Satanic Verses
VIII. Serve the Death
IX. In the Mists of Time (instrumental)
X. Cancer of the Earth
XI. Vermin

Links:
Saratan MySpace