The odd elements begin with the very first track, “Terror (Darkness Comes)” which kicks off with a sort of oriental melody on which the bass, drums and the riffing slowly pile up on each other to create a sort of massive wall of sound, literally deflagrating when the song abruptly changes into superbly played black metal.
“Devil's Speed”, chosen as first single, is rich in ideas, variations, bone-breaking tempo changes, to a point that probably trying to describe it would pass along the idea of a confusional track. But just see how all these elements work miraculously well together and you’ll draw your own conclusions.
Here goes a central part, with “Winter’s Sunset”, “Magic of the Moon”, “Revelation” and “Life Is a Dream”, where the symphonic and melodic taste takes advantage. The keyboard here is on full display: when matched by guitars tuned very low, as in “Revelation” for example, it creates beautiful harmonies that remind some of the finest Dimmu Borgir ever; sometimes, instead, it might slip towards a more ghastly sound, specifically “designed” to be flashy, although not yet outright kitsch.
“Eternal Life/Vampirism” is definitely better, with great guitar and bass lines. “Visions of Mortality” is even better, a perfect closure, grisly and grinding as pure, icy black metal can be.
“Diaboli Celeritate” is written and played with amazing intelligence, with a brilliant contour of devilish romance that makes it fictionable enough for a good story, but without turning it into gaudy gothiquerie.
Notes:
Release date September 11 2014 on Metal Scrap Records.
Tracklist: 1. Terror (Darkness Comes) 2. Devil's Speed 3. Winter's Sunset 4. Magic of the Moon 5. Revelation 6. Life Is a Dream 7. Eternal Life/Vampirism 8. Visions of Mortality | 05:49 04:11 04:13 04:21 04:22 03:36 06:25 03:55 36:52 |
Mr. Styx – Vocals, Keys
Powersquad – Guitars, Drums
Brutal Baphomet – Bass, Vocals
Guest musicians:
Nelly Hanael - Vocals on “Eternal Life/Vampirism” and “Magic of the Moon”, Choirs (with DP) on “Devil's Speed” and “Winter’s Sunset”.
OS - Bagpipes on “Eternal Life/Vampirism”.
Text by Arianna
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