The cover, the album and track titles and opening strains of the sitar suggest a mystical experience. A deep echo runs underneath. Music from India? No, this is the second album by Cult of Fire, who come from the CzechRepublic. There is an explosion – war is upon us. The track titles are all about death, destruction and fire. It’s as if the gates are crashing down and the world is on fire. Ferocious growls accompany the blackened scene. Guitars ring in that black metal way. Drums roll and the murderous scene develops. For the second track, which loosely translates as “Existence on the Pyre”, the effect is the same but it’s slower and more chant-like. It’s nothing special in fact but then it stops. Fire crackles, the guitar sound is distant and ominous. Then the flood gates open as the track progresses imperiously.
Now the air is funereal. A dark sermon is preached. The guitar rings out again, sliding up and down the scale, before taking off in a maelstrom of flying peaks. The drum rumbles underneath it all, providing sub-structure. Dark whisperings are superimposed on the now constant guitar. It’s fiery and omnipotent, and succeeded by an impressive guitar-led instrumental. Now Cult of Fire speak with passion and even emotion. Delicate piano sounds make a surprising but atmospheric appearance, capturing the magnificent majesty of this track and rounding it up. From this the album returns to the routine fiery and dark assault. “Death is Truth” took me nowhere new. So it is with the following track, which translates as “Ghastly Dance of Death”. The riff is ringing and uncompromising. The track is saved from anonymity by a pause for reflection and the subsequent descent back into terminal darkness. Cult of Fire know how to manage breaks and interludes and introduce new moods. On the next track they do just this. From funereal longer notes, there is a skilful switch to passionate and melodic black metal. Finally, the sitar returns. There is both chaos and calm. It is like a bright and breezy spring day. A man speaks in Hindi and so this admirably contrasting track, which translates as “Burnt by the Flame of Divine Love”, brings the album to a surprising and impressive close.
The Hindi element is present at the beginning and end, and in those war-like mid-sections which recall strongly the world of Vedic metal. I didn’t know the theme and other than on the fourth and the final track I didn’t feel any connection as I would on, say, a Rudra album. Although the concept was lost on me, I do commend this for being an impressively atmospheric black metal work, with plenty of colour, passion and intensity.
(7.5 /10 Andrew Doherty)
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