The title of this album reflects the violence and bloodthirstiness of the public in Ancient Roman times when attending spectacles at the Colosseum. “Panem et Circenses” (Bread and Circuses) was how the satirist Juvenal described the absolution from thinking through the indulgence in pleasure, and subjugation through social controls. Modern parallels are made: “kind of a TV-brainwash machine”. The message is put across through the medium of symphonic extreme metal. This is the Greek band W.E.B.’s (for Where Everything Begun) fifth album release.
“Dark Web” is represented by its sound– a threatening symphonic opening, followed by breakneck speed growly black metal. It’s dynamic and dramatic with a more than gothic touch. Beware the dark web. Gothic becomes operatic in an extreme metal sense on “Murder of Crows”. Either was it’s flashy and flamboyant, and imbued with the orchestral dark clouds as well as drama and melancholy. “Lucifer bring me light …. “ is the repeated chant at the beginning of “Pentalpha”. It’s like a cross between Rotting Christ and Therion. From the frenetic to the funereal … the title song is sombre to start before breaking into symphonic extreme metal fire, but with melody, atmosphere and colour. It’s a sophisticated track. “Dominus Maleficarum” is more pompous symphonic black metal. An ominous choir accompanies the razor-sharp vocals, as thunder and swirling evil surround the piece tightly. Marching blackened death pours through the impressive and sinister “Necrology”. The chorus sounds like 1960s Beatles psychedelia, but the song does not lose its momentum thanks to its heaviness and its military flow, capped at the end by military pomp. The power and inventiveness made this one my favourite track. “Ensanguined” then starts with a haunting middle-eastern tone before exploding into driving colourful extremity. “Exaudi Luciferi” is a powerful and imperious ode to chaos and suffering. Ending dramatically, we are taken into “December 13th”, which closes the album with a defiant with strangely reticent piece compared to the dark fireworks which precede it.
This is sheer drama from beginning to end. The symphonic element isn’t overdone. This is an extreme metal album where symphony heightens and darkens the atmosphere. Full of imagination and drive, “Colosseum” has real impact and represents its violent and destructive themes. It’s exciting and indeed it’s colossal.
(8.5/10 Andrew Doherty)
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