Description
White cassette with black text. With patch
Ritualistic chants, drums and guitars. Welcome to the 2012 offering of Ofermod, a Swedish black metal band who are known as one of the first of the orthodox black metal movement. But this band has come a long way since then and surpassed such labels. The term Orthodox religious death metal, which was used to label the previous effort Tiamtu, seems to fit here much more. Still not without black metal elements, this album ventures deeper into the realm of death metal than its predecessor, taking a huge step forward and distancing itself even more further from the bands demos in all aspects. If youre looking for the old glory days of Mysterion go look somewhere else. The production is a whole lot different than on the previous releases, well made, more appropriate. Evil, occult atmosphere fills the room as the listener wanders into the world of Thaumiel. Ever-present drums while never overwhelming, twisted guitar riffs, varied tempos and sick vocals are that make this album what it is. Never mind the absence of Nebiros, the vocal work of JK (Tehom) fits the result much more. Maybe he doesn’t have the diversity of Attila Csihar but he certainly delivers. This time Michayah shows how to write a record that won’t be buried by time and dust, the songs are much more memorable here than on the previous album. The session musicians who appear in this album don’t disappoint the listener either. Ritualistic chants, drums and guitars. This is how the album starts. The first track is to set the appropriate mood, puts you right into an age of darkness and occultism, even utilizing choirs. The second track increases the tempo and shows the riffing compatibilities of Michayah. The absolute highlight of the album is the third track, amplifying everything that were just introduced in the previous song. You may feel as the next song is out of place. It’s the slowest track of the album and features clean vocals of Kvarforth. You’ll eventually get to the re-recording of Chained to Redemption. If you are to think it has been ruined as the other re-recording, guess again! This version is much more powerful, showing different faces while retaining many qualities of the original version. The album closer is something that would fit the last album of Marduk as well. Should you listen to this album? This is a silly question; you’re bound to be blown away by its freshness, sheer brutality and occult atmosphere. But how good is it? This album is a definite winner if we are to determine which is the best extreme metal record of 2012. Without a second thought.
Track listing:
1. Sisters of Rapture and Pestilence
2. Black Gate
3. Calling of Setnacht: Twofold Triunity
4. Undead Moon
5. Prayers Unto Warped Eternities
6. Choshekh En Sof
7. Chained to Redemption
8. Via Noctis: Veil of Gargophias