Oh, Mr. Crowley Did you talk to the dead? Well possibly, in between a musical career that took him through Acheron to beyond it, dabbling with their Satanic majesties and all that. Vincent Crowley shouldn’t really need much in the way of introduction especially not for those versed in old school USDM that’s for sure. Acheron had a revered status which saw them, in between some breaks, releasing a plethora of work since way back in 1989, before their chief mage decided they had run their course and disbanded for possibly a final time. The title of this album speaks for itself and Crowley has engaged with other musicians and like-minded individuals to bring us a new / in a strictly old sort of way brand of self-described Macabre Metal. Expect much in the way of devilry and horror as well as literary sources here as we open the grimoire and prepare to turn its dreaded pages.
We get two wraparound tracks here the first a litany of bells tolling and monkish chanting over deconsecrated ground and 6 main tracks between them. Yep, its not a long album only 37 minutes in length but how much terror is a mere mortal able to deal with? Once ‘Where No Light Shines’ bears forth the darkness it is obvious that this is death of the doomy slithering variety, oozing put over strong guitar melody and vile rasps. Vocals are easy to read the tales so to speak, guttural but quite distinct making these Eerie Tales spring to life in a style reminiscent a bit of Necrophagia’s sadly departed Killjoy and the thankfully non-Deceased King Fowley. Melody is strong and there’s some neat flowing guitar leads providing distinction and breathing life into the songs and giving them a vibe that draws in bits of everything from the throne of King Diamond through to classic Swedish black metal. ‘My Eternal Vow’ strikes as a love affair with evil’s “cold flesh and rotting skin” complete with a doom prog sound that harks back to the early Italian scene. There’s plenty of self-reference lyrically and having made his pact and sold his soul it doesn’t strike that VC is regretting things in the slightest, turning experiences into making a song here that gets decidedly groovy.
For those who go into this album expecting an all-out battering it’s certainly a bit of a surprise, this form of ‘La Muerte’ brings to mind the creepy crawl of Coffin Joe stalking victims down dark alleys to take back to his dreadful dungeon and it is all handled with stealth. Nefarious deeds need cunning rather than quick, get it all over with, stabbing attacks to evade capture. Still there is the occasional battering over the head or two to be found here such as the slashing romp that is ‘Bring Forth The Dead.’ An invite to a graveyard party is always welcome especially in the form of a Masque which we go to next but as Poe taught us there’s never a need for carriages home, just have the undertaker on standby and a couple of coins for the ferryman. Everything leads to a doomed ‘Farewell (At Death’s Door) where our vile one suggests that this could well be the end, the heart monitor on the final outro flatlining. Not to worry too much I am sure he will return but as far as this album is concerned it has proven to actually be a surprisingly enjoyable one and hopefully not a final nail in the coffin.
(7.5/10 Pete Woods)
Leave a Reply