Opus Eponymous

I bring forth Ghost from Sweden with their first full length from 2010, Opus Eponymous. Formed in 2008, Ghost have been writing and preparing this album from the shadows to finally unleash upon the world a deviously genius Satanic rock and roll record of highest caliber, one that is meant to target a different sort of audience than the already accustomed Satanic crowd that is the current black metal scene today. The band, which consists of several nameless "ghouls", have no shame in admitting their true intentions behind crafting such a brand of music that is meant to attract the rock and metal followers, as they consider their approach to be a subliminal form of brainwashing. Never before has there been a group of this stature and of this quality that speak clearly and communicate distinctly the messages of Satan, as every song featured on this album is oriented around witchcraft, vampyrism, death, Satan, Lucifer, and the Devil, overall. There are no screams to be heard and the music hardly ever gets fast or very aggressive, instead there is an almost pop like sensibility that induces that "catchy" feeling acquired from most mainstream music today, yet with a devilish twist. In terms of image and lyrics Ghost offers nothing beyond the realm of Satanism, which appeals heavily towards my taste and is the true drive behind my obsession with this band. Instrumentally the album has some psychedelic heavy metal moments and at other times sounds more like a link between classic rock and roll and early proto-black metal, the vocals are persistently clean and match the various guitar tones and pitches quite perfectly so I can't blame him for that, however this seems to be the most popular element that initially turns the listener off during their first listen. After digesting these songs once or twice it is extremely enjoyable to go back to this album time and time again with a buzz on to nod your head and sing aloud these utterly Satanic and memorable lyrics. Ghost have made it very easy to buy into their music, and I highly suggest you give Opus Eponymous a chance, it could very easily put you under it's evil spell, as it should. For the interview with Ghost, go: here. Don't take my word on what this band truly represents and stands for, read their own words for what they truly are, there are no secrets here... As rock and roll has always been coined the "Devil's Music", never before has it been so appropriate...


1. Deus Culpa
2. Con Clavi Con Dio
3. Ritual
4. Elizabeth
5. Stand By Him
6. Satan Prayer
7. Death Knell
8. Prime Mover
9. Genesis

Opus Eponymous

Blood Seed

Wolvserpent is an ambient doom metal project from Boise, Idaho, this is their full length, Blood Seed, from 2010. A relatively new band, they had just changed their name from Pussygutt to head into a more serious direction, a mutually agreed upon great decision. The atmosphere created by these two members is the equivalent to a heavy funeral dirge infused with glorious and epic overtones that creep into thick and twisted doom segments. A very dark and gloomy album with some Gothic influences to be found, between the two songs featured here the mood can swing from mournful, ethereal, mystic, macabre, haunting and even crushing. As far as new finds of this year are concerned, I'm hoping that Wolvserpent decides to stick with this name and continue to produce more charged tunes such as the rituals found here on Blood Seed.


1. Wolv
2. Serpent

Blood Seed

Pakt

This is Detritivore from Norway, Detritivore is not a black metal band but rather a unique drone doom project with some ambient influences to be heard as well. Beyond the opening track this is an entirely instrumental release and a strong one at that, the first time I experienced this album from front to back I was heavily entranced and found myself adrift in a sea of my own subconscious. The term detritivore, also known as detritus feeders, refers to that of worms and other creatures that consume organic matter and aid in decomposition... quite appropriate. This is the album you've been looking for that you can completely zone out to and lose a good chunk of time without realizing it, as the tracks on this record are very successful at dissolving the consciousness.


1. Postludium
2. Lutring
3. Messe
4. Undergang
5. Pakt
6. Finale

Pakt

El-Ahrairah

El-Ahrairah are a three piece black metal band from Minnesota, I present to you their self titled demo from 2009. Lyrically, El-Ahrairah are inspired by native American folklore but revolve even heavier around the book Watership Down by Richard Adams, which is essentially a political allegory wherein rabbits take on an anthropomorphic role that involves a heavy usage of symbolism to communicate ideas of environmentalism and anti-authoritarian ideals. The actual sound on this demo is perfectly low passed and offers that genuinely comfortable tape sounding quality, the songs themselves are structured in a less orthodox fashion than most black metal on this blog. Noisey, yet fully capable of achieving those majestic tones beneath the fuzz and static.The emotive quality captured here is both provocative as it is utterly passionate.


1. Fauna
2. Flora
3. Llands

El-Ahrairah