Having enjoyed the 2008 debut, “Slave to Decay”, I was keen to hear this Swedish Black Metal Troupe’s sophomore release “Decreation”. Two releases since their unholy incarnation in 2004 is hardly prolific, but I guess it’s better than regurgitating the same album on an annual basis……This offering was recorded at the Necromorbus studios in Stockholm, who’s pedigree includes Watain, Tortorum and Ondskapt, as well as many of my other favourite black metal bands, and then mixed by Devo (Marduk) at the Endarker studios, so this should sound good!
This opus opens with “I am Death” which sets the stall for what is to follow, opening with a menacing growl which crescendos into a scream, followed by some fine melodic black metal. “Black Goat” follows and raises the bar with melodies and grooves amongst the impious blastings which burn their way into the cerebrum and refuse to leave.
“Legio Mihi Nomen Est” and “Crawl” follow demonstrating multiple layers to their music – Suitably battering, but melodic, with a nod towards thrash and even subtle hints of melodeath at certain points all under the dark banner of blasphemous black metal.
“Cult of Weakness” clears away any uncertainties about the bands ideology with an uncompromising lyrical assault on Christianity, before “Slumber of the God” takes a more straight forward musical approach, raising the tempo. This continues into the title track, with Fredrik Widigs (Marduk) blastings on drums competing with founder member Ingemar Gustafsson’s rasping vocals.
“Nibiru” is next, which slows the pace allowing the guitar work of Johan Eriksson (the other remaining founder member) and Per Rinaldo (a member since 2006) more prominence, creating a menacing atmosphere, before the quintet, completed by Joakim Antman on bass, launch into “Lognerna Till Aska”, which is sung in their native Swedish and brings the album to a fitting climax as it fades out, leaving me reaching for the ‘play’ button.
All in all this is a great black metal release which manages the difficult balance of incorporating enough variety into the musical style to keep things interesting without compromising on intensity. Fingers crossed for some UK dates………
(8.5/10 Andy Pountney)
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