Disma - Towards the Megalith (2011)

Full Length, Profound Lore Records
2011


It is pretty apparent that the old school death metal revival is on a boom these days.  The activities of certain bands producing cryptic death metal in the vein of the ancient deathlords were on a high ever since the last five years or so but now it seems to be spreading like an epidemic. Now that doesn't mean that every band falling under this so called ''neo old school'' or ''retro'' death metal cult has to be praiseworthy. A lot of them do not go well in my books for being pale apparitions of the original harnessers of this grotesque aural art.

Albeit when you talk about a congregation of veterans from acts like Incantation, Funebrarum, Abazagorath etc., you get a strong idea that there is something serious going on. This unholy congregation (anti)christened as Disma, grabbed my attention two years back when I was enlightened about their debut demo ''The Vault of Membros''. I grew ecstatic because they were spearheaded by one of my favorite vocalists - the colossal Craig Pillard! Does that name ring a bell? Of course it does,  if you worship Incantation's monolithic albums ''Onward to Golgotha'' and ''Mortal Throne of Nazarene''! Disma was the brainchild of Daryl Kahan (Funebrarum) and Bill Venner (Ex-Incantation) whose love for the old Finnish death metal sound compelled him to embark yet another profane journey on the paths of doom. Not only the sound but even the band name reeks of Finnish death metal! Dismal+Xysma = Disma. Mathematics could be fun sometimes, isn't it?

Their debut full length ''Towards the Megalith'' uncorks a massively heavy and deranged slab of cavernous and putrid old school death/doom, coming right from the chasms of hell! remember how much I loved the raw and sludgy sound of the demo but this little monster here has surpassed every fucking thing! The guitars are low tuned beyond belief, almost to G if I remember and boy, they emanate such a thick wall of pumelling sounds!

This album is certainly not a wank fest for the trigger friendly ears but a punishing lesson of true, barbaric death metal. The kind of sound which the album has captured is very much reminiscent of the Finnish gems like Rippikoulu, Disgrace, Xysma, Convulse etc. but much heavier and sewer drenched at times. Craig's vocal delivery is absolutely inhumane and exceedingly brutal as expected. You can imagine how an ancient demon would roar on the lesser mortals once he is awakened after years of slumber. Randi's bass lines are equally low tuned and brutal like the dual guitar onslaughts of Daryl and Bill and they have been instrumental in weaving a maze of ominous sounds.

As far the drumming is concerned, it is very well delivered by Shawn who has already proven his mettle with Funebrarum and does nothing less on this record also. Since most of the album is mid paced, there aren't 10,000 blast beats to be found here although there are a few faster double bass/blast sections to be found. The drum sound is very much in accordance to the guitar and bass mix and gives an equally heavy and crunchy feeling to one's ears. I love how he has also employed some sweet crusty, d-beats which sound so headbangable, while flowing with the brutal guitars and vocal passages. Impressive performances!

Towards the Megalith certainly doesn't bring anything new to the platter but this was never their intention either. I am never going to be worried about any sort of progressions or creative inventions as far as this style of putrid old school death metal is concerned because it is meant to be enjoyed as a subtle and primitive style. Disma have provided a good example of creating an enjoyable and worthy death/doom record which doesn't go bland and monotonous as some of the bands in this genre could get after a few plays. Tracks like ''Chasm of Oceanus'', ''Vault of Membros'' and ''Spectral Domination'' provide a good reference of what I am talking about. And oh, the spectacular cover art also acts a great element in defining the purpose and feel of the album while not simply being yet another Moyen rip-off b/w painting.

Grab this album if you are a fellow old school death/doom afficianado and also have an admiration for the other parties these gentlemen are engaged with. Now I would like to quote these fantastic lyrics of the title track ''Towards the Megalith'' to conclude this review because they highlight the essence of this album in a few sentences.

''Towards the Megalith...
Among the last vestiges of humanity
to survive in broken ruins
Paths of smoldering, twisted steel
The refuge has become a tomb
A colony without hope
Torn from the womb of life
To exist in desolation
Congregation of the damned
Of the damned...''


Rating: 8.5/10
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Disma/137903672940606

Necros Christos - Doom of the Occult

Full Length, Sepulchral Voice Records
2011
Necros Christos is a name which is well revered amongst the appreciators of occult death metal art and they have struck again with their sophomore album entitled as “Doom of the Occult” after a long anticipation. Their debut venture “Triune Impurity Rites” had left plenty of fans including myself stunned with its densely atmospheric and ancient atmosphere. Such was the charm of the album, that I almost felt enraptured amidst a black mass procession, which had evilness emanating from all over.

This malignant ensemble originates from Germany and conjures an ominous amalgamation of ancient occultism and underground death/doom metal through their malignant epiphanies. The driving force behind this sinister temple is Mors Dalos Ra, whose enchanted preachings have left a staunch impression on myself. He is a learned man for sure, who has employed the theories of the Old Testament, ancient Egyptian miracles, Middle Eastern deities and an inspiration from the emanations of the Holy Qabalah, ancient mysteries of temples and tombs and much more.

As intriguing as it sounds, this wicked soul has left no stone unturned in structuring his musical elements at par with the intricate lyrical themes he has employed. “Doom of the Occult” is an implausible example of the above mentioned features possessed by Necros Christos and it’s a tad better offering than their elite debut. What makes it so special is the way the rituals have been structured this time. The musical theme has been emphasized on Mors’ ancient Middle Eastern/Asian influences and they have been very suavely executed.

There are a total of 23 ritual hymns which constitute this juggernaut and they are divided as 14 instrumental interludes and nine death metal rituals. These are artistically crafted as preludes for all the nine necromantic psalms. Overall, the interludes are also divided as eight temples which are cathedral-ish instrumentals which introduce the “gates” . The “gates” here are acoustic Middle Eastern folk instrumentals which are beautifully carved by Mors again. Together, they add a highly exotic and arcane element to the album and serve as splendid introductions to the tracks.

Necros Christos’ most noticeable quality is the uniqueness of their sound and it has been suavely exemplified on “Doom of the Occult”. The compositional prowess on the album is highly commendable and thoroughly enjoyable. There aren’t any crazy sweeps or twisted leads to be found here. Its all about pure occult art. What impresses me the most is flow of the riffs which are catchy, down tuned and aurally devastative. The leads and especially the arcane solos are also very well carved and they keep the ears buzzing and gasping for more. Impressively, each song possesses memorable passages which get stuck in the head very easily. The main focus here is to provide ample eargasms to the listener with a mind numbing juxtaposition of cryptic middle eastern harmonies with death metal. But it’s certainly not cheesy or very accessible for any casual listener. Its very powerful, yet subtle at times. Mors and the Evil N. have done a fabulous job on the strings here and their coalition is what makes this album so bestial and profound!

I know that I just can’t stop praising Mors’ efficiency as a musician and hence I would applaud him once again for spewing some of the most baleful vocals I have ever heard! He had left a staunch impact with his demonic vocals on “Triune Impurity Rites” and he did it yet again on “Doom of the Occult”. His vocals give an astute feeling of an ancient Mesopotamian demon, who gives out a loud roar to pronounce the end of divinity from the planet Earth. His earth-shattering and rattling guttural onslaught is more than just an added flavor of this brilliant album.

Raelin’s percussive assault also deserves a praise since he has delivered a worthy performance with his drum kit. Since it’s a mid paced, doomier death metal album, he didn’t have to execute any triggered double bass attack or 300+ bpm blast beats but boy, he still didn’t leave any stone unturned in striking gold! The snare tone on the album is crunchy and sounds apt in the mix because it suitably justifies the hammering guitar tone. My favorite would be the introduction of “Doom of Kali Ma” where he starts off the proceedings with a gnarly blast beat passage and ceases down to menacing double bass sections throughout the track.

The bass is definitely present on the album and it flows around smoothly with the guitar’s but there are no individual bass moments except for “Hathor of Dendera” and “Invoked from Carrion Slumber”. Nevertheless, I don’t think that bass solo’s were very much required on the album. Black Sheperd Ov Doom has done his job neatly and provided the perfect tone which was required to enhance the heaviness of “Doom of the Occult”.

Even though each death metal ritual on “DOTO” is so deftly etched, there are some special moments which are certainly the highlights of the album. The stand out track according to me is “Doom of Kali Ma – Pyramid of Shakti Love – Flame of Master Shiva” which is a diligent hymn to the magnificence of the mythical Hindu occult deities – Kali and Shiva. The exceptional element of this track is that a lot of the lyrical content constitutes of Hindi texts which have been growled to such perfection that I was bound with amazement. Being a Hindu myself, it was an astonishing quality and I was dazed with ecstasy after hearing this hymn along with its brilliant and perfect lyrics. I can easily say that this soundtrack could become an anthem for the purveyors of occult death metal. “Necromantique Nun”, “Succumbed to Sarkum Phagum”, “Invoked from Carrion Slumber” and “Descending into the Kinly Tomba” are my other picks from the album. The solo on “Descending…” might be yet another spectacular element on the album. Though there are a few good ones to be heard, the one on that song is particularly very well carved out. Great efforts by the guitar duo!

Overall, “Doom of the Occult” constitutes everything which a mystifyingly evil death metal album should possess. The song writing is deviously enthralling even though it’s mostly one dimensional. Almost all the tracks flow in a basic pattern which comprises of heavy palm muted riffs, mid paced to doomier sections, fitting double bass, cryptic leads and brilliant solos. But it still doesn’t add a monotone since all the tracks carry individuality. The album is absolutely devoid of any frills and wannabe complexities. It is death metal done in the right manner! Every moment on the album reeks of class and exoticism.

I can keep the band at par with Grave Miasma who also share a similar musical direction minus the middle eastern influences. Their mid-paced, doom-oriented death metal music and lyrical themes also reeks highly of occult themes and exotic atmospheres. They are both class acts and share individualistic and dedicated mindsets which are two precursors for any band to carve a niche in a vastly populated “scene”.

In today’s time’s where abominations such as plagiarism and staleness are ruining the beauty of the art of death metal, it’s great to have honest and inspiring acts like Necros Christos around which possesses an impeccable demeanor . “Doom of the Occult” clearly exhibits that they are a sheer apotheosis of scrupulousness and musical dexterity. So, show your utmost support to these Germans and enter the gates of their diabolic temple right now!

A necromantic doom awaits you, as you ascend the abyssal stairs of this temple…
9.5/10
Official Site - http://www.darknessdamnationdeath.com/

Indesinence - Noctambulism (2006)

Full Length, Goat of Mendes Records

2006

Noctambulism is the Ist full length by British death/doom ensemble Indesinence. The band started off during late 2001 with mutual influences ranging from old school thrash, black, doom, heavy and European style death metal along with ambient music. With a common aim to spew out some of the most uncompromising extreme metal from UK, they released their first release ''Ecstatic Lethargy'', a demo CD in 2003 and later an EP entitled as ''Neptunian'' in 2006. The very same year, ''Noctambulism'' saw the light of day and took the UK underground with storm. Raging like a vile beast, the album architectures  somber scenarios for over an hour and extinguishes the burning flames of sanity with its cold and morbid ecstacy. 

Featuring some of the best death/doom symphonies you'd ever hear during this decade, this record is a straight-forward Evoken and diSEMBOWELMENT worship and yet it greatly manages to be not just another shameless ''clone'' but instead. a very intelligent and inspiring collection of cacophonous dark rhythms. The amount of heaviness which it boasts off is awe-inspiring with insane riffs, blasting straight off on your ears and giving no room to recover from their menacing onslaught. What really intrigues me is an avid usage of darkened acoustic riffs which flow beautifully along with the abysmally heavy rhythms which adds a subtle dimensionality to the overall musical feel. Juxtapositioned with an enduring vocal and percussive devastation and a sharp and crispy production, it comes out to be an overwhelming listening experience. An experience which would rape your happiness and drown you in surreal state of melancholy which would continue to haunt you forever and ever! 

So If you like your doom criminally underrated and uncompromisingly heavy, Noctambulism would be just the perfect erotic pleasure for your ears. 

8.5/10