Corpus Christii is actually a Latin word meaning ‘body of Christ’ which makes it a seemingly popular moniker for use by Christian metal bands. These are not to be mistaken for the similarly named Corpus Christi’s, either the God-fearing metalcore mob or the long-defunct white power metal band from America. Luciferian Frequencies is the seventh full length from this more Satanically aligned Corpus Christii, and their first since signing to Candlelight Records. This is, by and large, solely the work of one man; Nocturnus Horrendus although with the addition of Menthor on drums for this release and while I have not heard a great deal by them until recently this album has definitely won me over.
Opening ‘The Gate’ rattles in immediately sounding formidable and fierce and it doesn’t take long to work out this is no limp half-arsed black metal by numbers affair. ‘The Owl Resurrection’ has a true air of menace and evil wafting around a sturdy, crushing riff getting the album off to a flying start. I love the slower pace that ‘Crystal Glaze Foundation’ gets off to, placing a great emphasis on creating a really humongous, threatening atmosphere within the music and they very effortlessly switch between this and more fast paced sections giving a distinct feeling of chaos. The vocals are very well applied, at times really seeming to get carried away with things letting out cacophonous howls and brimming with evil. There is something deeply unnerving about the hellish rasps of NH, and through the demonic chants of ‘The Styx Reflection’ channels the luciferian frequencies with the utmost conviction.
This whole album is shrouded in darkness and has a certain mystical quality that I really connected with. ‘Picatrix’ plays out like an ancient grimoire, the hollow cries resonating within a cloying ambience. At times there are some really beleaguering guitars that lurk menacingly rather than going straight for the chase, which work especially well adding extra layers of menace to the music. ‘Deliverer Of Light’ certainly delivers; again the emphasis is very much on building a menacing and subterranean atmosphere and drawing the listeners mind into a world inhabited by demons and where evil reigns. Things get especially down-tempo with ‘The Infidel’s Cross’ where guitars scrape against the speakers in a whirlwind of stifled chaos. There is little criticism I have for this album; it has really grown on me on repeat listens and it just has tons of atmosphere and the evil, misanthropic feel that black metal is all about. Excellent stuff!
http://www.myspace.com/corpuschristii
Luci Herbert
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