Hecate (Egypt): “In Nomine Artem Blackium”

I first came across Hecate from Egypt in 2014 when they released their first excellent album, The Order of the Black Light. Now, six years later, the Egyptian group is back with the sophomore album In Nomine Artem Blackium, and I must say that the group has changed a lot musically. In 2014, they played straight black metal with melodic elements here and there and a few synth backgrounds. Now the band plays symphonic black metal with orchestral arrangements. These orchestral elements take on a preponderant role as the guitar weaves vigorous rhythmic textures. Sometimes, as in “Surrealistic Resurrection”, there is a strong presence of oriental atmospheres. It has to be mentioned that In Nomine Artem Blackium is a double album of which disc 2 is nothing more than an orchestral and instrumental version of disc 1 I'm not fond of orchestral versions, but it can be at least understandable when it's just a few songs.  Instead, making a second disc entirely orchestral is a bit pleonastic, so to speak, since it adds nothing; on the contrary, the absence of guitars and vocals makes it dull. Finally, I would like to remark on the Latin title that does not seem linguistically correct to me. Anyway, the album is good and will appeal to those who are into symphonic black metal.
 
Notes:
In Nomine Artem Blackium was digitally self-released on August 6, 2020.
 
Personnel:
Lord Mist - All Instruments, Arrangements.
Zander Adam - Vocals, Layout.
Assal - Drums.
Sarie - Vocals (Soprano) on tracks (6, 7).
 
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com