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t’s album number 2 for these Swedish occultists, and they are keen to point out that their second full-length journey to the dark side will not be compromised by mere gimmicks such as hoods, blood or pentagrams. This is mind-expanding occult rock the way it should be, with the music providing the only vessel between the listener and oncoming blackened revelation. And while it’s no bad thing that Saturnalia Temple worship at the altar of the fuzzed-up doom riff, it’s unfortunate that it tends to be just the one riff at a time.
‘Intro’ sets us off with its ominous, choral, windswept drone. So far, so generic. But it’s ‘Zazel Sorath’ that really determines the pattern for the path ahead. Anchored on one fuzzy doom riff and an early (and laboured sounding) lead break, we are treated to the indifferent howls of “Rise…Rise…
Rise…”, Ok, let’s see what we can do. The desert-style intro of ‘To The Other’ points towards better things, with its Watain-esque shimmer, but then you realise that this is the MAIN riff until the track fades out into the sonic wind of spaced-out guitar leads. At least ‘Snow Of Reason’ has a breakdown part and some rather nifty tribal drumming, but it soon outstays it’s welcome and rides out into yet more spaced-out guitar leads. There seems to be a pattern emerging here. Thank goodness then, for ‘March Of Gha’agsheblah’. This is more like it. A central riff played with gusto, with effective and counterpoint lead, and a more convincing vocal style. However, by ‘Black Sea Of Power’ we are re-treading familiar ground. Its eastern-style flavour is unsteady and the vocal melody is content to ride along with it, until once again, the song just settles into drone territory. The same could be said for ‘Crowned By Seven’ but it’s choppy dynamics are more interesting. Our voyage of “black metal magic” is nearly over, and in truth, the best is saved ’till last. ‘Void’ is a dramatic instrumental that echoes and shines towards a Goblin style sound-scape, before winding down into a muffled sea. You can’t help but think that this track would have made a better intro.
So there we have it, ‘To The Other’ is not a complete shambles, it’s clear that these guys can play, it just seems as though they can’t be bothered to. The demo-like production doesn’t help matters either. Maybe I’m missing the point, but if it’s a black metal album that Saturnalia Temple have created, it certainly lacks coldness, and if it’s an occult rock album, it definitely lacks swagger. Ultimately, ‘To The Other’ is a journey that doesn’t quite get off the ground.
(4/10 Stuart Carroll)
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