A single piece of “sonic sorcery” is the offering from atmospheric black metal band Sea Mosquito. It’s a 23-minute piece though, and a very interesting piece at that. Building up with the drum sounding like a rapid heartbeat, “Fire, Magic & Venom” surges forward like a train. A deep moan intervenes briefly. The rapid metal romp continues. Sinister, menacing noises penetrate the electrifying tension, accentuated further by growled and deep vocals. The atmosphere becomes industrial, and while Sea Mosquito have the situation under control, the world they depict the situation seems to be getting out of hand and increasingly chaotic. The tempo steps down and we are dragged through the depths of hell. The mood transforms into one of irrepressible intensity. The wall of sound and rumble of thunder threaten to develop into something yet more nasty and evil. Those subtle but infinitely evil layers of sound fill a background which is already full of uncompromising and murderous intent. All hell is let loose but it’s a world of distinct sounds, as drums, growls and mantra-like moans build a black and impressive picture. All of a sudden, the bass guitar takes over for yet another aural twist. An explosion of fire follows before once again the soundscape transforms, this time to a dreamy world which expands into a mystical and majestic finale, topped off by a mesmerising saxophone section.

Transforming and layered, this EP is an exhilarating piece of music. Sea Mosquito cleverly weave sounds and manage tempo shifts while always maintaining a fiery, magical and venomous atmosphere as the title would suggest.

(9/10 Andrew Doherty)

https://www.facebook.com/seamosquitoband

https://onismproductions.bandcamp.com/album/fire-magic-venom