2008-03-16
Wow, I certainly didn't expect this album from this Polish band. It's hard to point a definite direction these guys have taken musically with this release, their second since formation in 2000, but I guess a symphonic black/death hybrid is the best way to describe it.
I heard their last release – 2005's "Plurima Mortis Imago" – and wasn't too stunned by it, and that made the impact this, their latest, made on me even more apparent. Somehow the band combined impressive technical proficiency with strong writing and solid production values into an album that is both memorable, and quite unique.
I guess the opening line in the first track "T.H.O.R.N.S" will remind people of Behemoth's "Slave Shall Serve", but the song goes in a different direction quite quickly. Dark and atmospheric keyboard work adds a deeper and more Goth-like vibe, and vocalist/guitarist Quazarre growls his way aggressively only to inject some interesting melodic touches to his vocals, including a gothic, almost chorus-like mid-line.
The rest of the songs throw every weapon in the band's considerable arsenal into the mix – massive riffs, some truly staggering drum-work, quite complex and unusual song structures, and at certain points, such as in the third track – "The Word Was Made Flesh Turned Into Chaos Again" – crossing the path into pure avant-garde territories.
The fact that the sound is sharp and yet sufficiently full, and the intelligently written lyrics, though quite extreme and anti-religious, are yet more layers that are added to what is definitely a well-crafted piece of work.
So, simply put – this is quite the pleasant surprise, and a fine addition to a growing roster of talented Polish extreme metal bands active today, easily on-par with Behemoth and Vader, better check 'em out.
Alon Miasnikov
