It only feels like yesterday that DsO unleashed ‘Fas’ upon us and yet already they are assaulting the black metal community with fresh material, this time in the form of a split LP with cult countrymen S.V.E.S.T. (each band’s contributions are also available as two separate mini CDs). Checking my dates, it would appear that Fas is nearly 2 years old so one shouldn’t be surprised at new sounds from DsO, particularly given the prolific and potent creative wellspring the band seem to be supping from these days. Nevertheless, this offering has come as a not entirely unwelcome surprise to say the very least.
For the uninitiated, Deathspell Omega represent the bleeding edge of progressive orthodox black metal in 2009. Love them or loathe them, the music they create is utterly distinctive and only the most foolhardy would attempt to gain a handle on their output from a single listen. ‘Chaining the Katechon’ – their contribution to this release – is a single 22-minute track that picks up pretty much where ‘Fas’ left off. Furious, coal-black, discordant, sprawling, as always the thin line between madness and genius is trodden with a knowing contempt. Unlike their previous two albums which ushered the listener in with gradually escalating Neurosis-styled slow-burn soundscapes, ‘Chaining…’ palm-strikes you from the word go with a pulverising blastbeat, plunging you headlong into their world of furious hatred.
It’s impossible to accurately summarise the sonic journey that subsequently unfolds – from abstract guitar noise to searing lead motifs to a surprisingly despondent finale, DsO have somehow managed to condense their entire sonic palette into this breathtaking slice of art and it is powerfully humbling to behold. The suffocating density of the previous album has made way a little for some breathing space - the riffs are allowed time to develop, evolve and it serves only to enhance the textures explored. My one reservation about this band remains - that I’m still not 100% convinced by Mikko Asppa’s vocals. He is improving to be sure but one can’t help but wonder how this stuff would sound with ex-vocalist Shaxzul’s demented shrieks adorning it. All the same, this still doesn’t prevent ‘Chaining the Katechon’ from representing the very pinnacle of forward-thinking, conceptual extreme metal.
S.V.E.S.T. stylistically adopt a more under-produced approach to their 3 tracks of black metal but one that is no less occult sounding. Theirs is a sound drenched in reverb with guitars hissing like cobras, frantic drums and cavernous vocals echoing distantly within the maelstrom. Like the bastard offspring of Funeral Mist and ‘World Without End’-era Katharsis, S.V.E.S.T. take no prisoners here and as can be deduced from the above comparisons, their approach is very much in keeping with the Noevdia bands.
It is easy to see why they sit with this illustrious label. Multi-instrumentalist Darkkarma displays an enviable deftness of touch, the spiralling guitar lines on second song ‘Le Diable est ma Raison’ exhibiting real technical prowess without being showy. S.V.E.S.T. dwell in similar claustrophobic shadows as DsO but like the aforementioned, know when to let riffs breathe. There are some truly sublime highlights within this act’s contributions – when opener ‘Et La Lumičre Fut, Comme Un Coup De Scalp’esuddenly puts the brakes on and ushers in a passage of reflective synths/guitars that heralds a solemn, searing climax, its one of those spine-tingling black metal moments – indeed, it’s probably the most potent part of this entire release. Closing song ‘Veritas Diaboli Manet in Aeternum’ meanwhile is predominantly instrumental but when vocalist Spica finally unleashes some despairing shrieks the effect is crushing.
If you hadn’t guessed by now, both bands efforts here are near-essential and have kickstarted the year’s black metal in fine fashion. Vinyl junkies are advised to grab the LP version as soon as they can whilst those condemned to CDs only… well, you’ll just have to stump up for both I’m afraid. It’ll be worth every penny.
http://www.deathspellomega.com
http://www.noevdia.com
