Description

Still sealed 2005 press with a 40-page booklet including lyrics and artwork.

Deathspell Omega is a band that has a certain amount of mystery around it. The (newer) lyrical themes and abstract album concepts have always been a cause for intrigue. The booklet for this, which is rather long contains perverse images, often modifications and grotesque takes on religious images typical of Deathspell Omega. Lyrics are revealed as being noting more than extracts from sources like the Bible and various quotes which one most piece together in order understand the conceptual side of things. The songs have no titles, simply I, II, and III. Musically DSO is rather diverse and almost technical (in a rhythmic and calculating way, not a fast solo-ish way). The music revolves almost entirely on the tritone, the devils interval as it was called in medieval times. This makes the music extremely unsettling and tense with no real resolution. Slow arpeggiated passages, fast riffs, and even the occasional acoustic break are all found within the first few minutes. Vocals tend to be slow with no pattern or rhythmic hook (due to the nature of the lyrics). Vocals are also pretty low, not the typical shriek, more guttural and from the stomach than the back of the throat. To the bands credit they do try to create some interesting passages, adding things like church choirs and interesting instrument combinations. It is an odd thing hearing a slower bass/drum/acoustic guitar break in the music, especially with non-standard drum patterns. As you probably know by now this is NOT easy listening. The songs over little harmonic satisfaction, no resolve, and leave you with little to remember besides a ton of dissonance. I think the whole metaphysical side of the lyrics and art is worth trying to understand but the band should mainly be working with making good music. Some may say this album is a bit to conceptual and almost to pretentious while others may however find it very fascinating.

Track listing:
1. I
2. II
3. III