It’s been 22 years since the original line-up of this legendary black metal band put out “Infernal Satanic Verses”. Four subsequent albums were released, with original member Graf von Beelzebub keeping the satanic flame burning, before the band stopped altogether in 2007. Now original member Aaarrrgon has re-joined his comrade in arms Beelzebub. It was good to read that the band is not only full of fire but has embraced technical advancements which have taken place during the long gap period.
Violence, fury, swirling winds, turbulence, chaos … they’re back. “Belial is my Name” takes us inside the whirlwind. Bells clang. The echoing roar enhances the fire and intensity of the instrumentals. The bells finally signal the world’s end a horror show. “Seven Headed Dragon” is as intense, starting in sinister fashion before pumping out pompous and vile venom. They do like their sound effects, these chaps. At one point I thought I heard a dentist’s saliva ejector. The album continues in a vein of harsh and grim intensity with “Hell Demons Rising”. The ghouls return and fly in the background of “Letters from the Devil”. As the drums trigger, there is an extreme and languid wall of noise to accompany the vocalist’s dirty preachings. A noteworthy feature of this album is the grotesque endings, in this case a little rhyme to capture the theme of the song.
The murderous onslaught continues, slowing down periodically and stretching the torture to extend the punishment. “Darkness remains”, growls the vocalist, as if we needed reminding. I reflected, if reflection is possible in all this chaos, that this is old school with modern production. The base production is hard-hitting and nasty – “Darkness in Flames”, to quote one of the track titles. The echoes, the deeply spoken words, the descent into the abyss, the choir, the indistinct sounds – they all enhance the scene of terror. There are guitar solos mixed into this work, but “Curse of the Wolf Demon” distinguishes itself with its withering riff in another rolling show of nastiness. The swirling fire and final sinister message of “Satanic Mistress” bring the album to a close, but there is a bonus on some editions of Possessed’s “Deathmetal” and its fiery and hard-hitting eulogy to the subject of its title. Good covers are a sign of a good band, and this is one.
This is a good work. As is often the case with black metal, the direction is the same. It would be strange if it wasn’t. Mystic Circle do mix it up with little twists, tempo changes and sound effects to enhance the mood. So, all in all I found plenty of fire and brimstone, abundant hatred and evil.
(8/10 Andrew Doherty)
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