Eosphorus is a Swedish band formed in 2006 asserting a return to the roots of black metal not just as a music genre but as a philosophy, and somehow a mission, that wrestles established social values and conventions. Eosphorus members define their metal as eminently “Occult” and “Satanic”, and it probably is, as concerns the portrayal of Lucifer as bringer of light and opposition to superstition and ignorance. In fact the lyrics of Eosphorus in their second album, Winds of Apep, deal with the arcane and esoteric rather than depressive and suicidal as they have been labeled in some reviews. Apep, by the way, was the behemoth serpent that in ancient Egyptian mythology represented the deadly enemy of Ra, the sun god.
The choice of such a context goes along with a well calibrated mixture of heaviness, momentum and melody. The production is excellent, maybe a little too polished. It would be interesting to get a chance to see this band live and evaluate how much a rougher and less refined sound would appeal to their aura.
Maybe Eosphorus have gone a little beyond the purpose of getting back to old school, as the album certainly features more melody than requested for a black metal album, but nonetheless they have done an excellent job. Watain and Horna are some of the most obvious influences, but the single tracks indeed have a personality. Many start with some acoustic guitar playing before kicking off properly into berserk and evil atmospheres. Oliver Spetze’s soaring screams beautifully alternate with recitative and almost theatrical spoken parts that stress the climax of depth and insanity.
Song structures can vary from basic and crude chords such as in the furious Woken, or in “Infernal Light”, unquestionably the most “Scandinavian Black Metal” track in the album, to ambitious and complete songs as the title track, or “Into the Night” which include well performed instrumental parts and fine guitar solos.“Saran Redeemer” and “Liber Anima” are also amongst the best bits, though deeply different from one another: eerie and malignant the former, savage and in-your-face the latter.
Eosphorus have conceived an unquestionably interesting album and music philosophy, attractive yet aggressive, original whilst carrying the peculiar marks of Swedish black metal. In an oceanic crowd of amazingly gifted musicians, certainly it’s not easy to emerge. We’ll watch them close and see if they have the guts.
Notes:
Winds of Apep was released on June 18, 2014 on WormHoleDeath Records.
The choice of such a context goes along with a well calibrated mixture of heaviness, momentum and melody. The production is excellent, maybe a little too polished. It would be interesting to get a chance to see this band live and evaluate how much a rougher and less refined sound would appeal to their aura.
Maybe Eosphorus have gone a little beyond the purpose of getting back to old school, as the album certainly features more melody than requested for a black metal album, but nonetheless they have done an excellent job. Watain and Horna are some of the most obvious influences, but the single tracks indeed have a personality. Many start with some acoustic guitar playing before kicking off properly into berserk and evil atmospheres. Oliver Spetze’s soaring screams beautifully alternate with recitative and almost theatrical spoken parts that stress the climax of depth and insanity.
Song structures can vary from basic and crude chords such as in the furious Woken, or in “Infernal Light”, unquestionably the most “Scandinavian Black Metal” track in the album, to ambitious and complete songs as the title track, or “Into the Night” which include well performed instrumental parts and fine guitar solos.“Saran Redeemer” and “Liber Anima” are also amongst the best bits, though deeply different from one another: eerie and malignant the former, savage and in-your-face the latter.
Eosphorus have conceived an unquestionably interesting album and music philosophy, attractive yet aggressive, original whilst carrying the peculiar marks of Swedish black metal. In an oceanic crowd of amazingly gifted musicians, certainly it’s not easy to emerge. We’ll watch them close and see if they have the guts.
Notes:
Winds of Apep was released on June 18, 2014 on WormHoleDeath Records.
| Tracklist: 1. Into the Night 03:51 2. Satan Redeemer 06:24 3. Infernal Light 06:30 4. Divina Potestate Satanae 05:12 5. Winds of Apep 08:06 6. Liber Anima 06:16 7. Into Ashes 05:53 8. Stand by My Side 04:40 9. On the Circle Edge 06:12 10. Path of the Dead 07:41 11. Woken | 03:51 06:24 06:30 05:12 08:06 06:16 05:53 04:40 06:12 07:41 05:19 01:06:04 |
Personnel:
Oliver Spetze - Guitar, Vocals
Markus Svantesson - Guitar
Joel Haegerström - Bass
Victor Parri - Drums
Oliver Spetze - Guitar, Vocals
Markus Svantesson - Guitar
Joel Haegerström - Bass
Victor Parri - Drums
Text by Arianna
arianna@unholyblackmetal.com
arianna@unholyblackmetal.com