No shortage of “Wisdom” as far as Italian cultists Mortuary Drape are concerned. They have been ushering devotees through the musical veil to the other side of their rotten drape for the best part of 35 years now. Although still having got recent attention (pre plague) for live shows, new material from the ‘necromantical doom’ denizens has not been that forthcoming recently. Indeed, last album ‘Spiritual Independence’ came out via Tyrant Records way back in 2014. However, a quill baptised in blood was proffered via Peaceville Records recently and once sole founding member Wildness Perversion and cohorts had signed said documents, fruits have been borne in the shape of this new 5-track EP.

For those who have been following their left-hand path it should come as no surprise that they are still very much doing things in the old ways. Do not go expecting them to have evolved or trying new tricks here but be prepared to traipse down gloomy, stygian, enshrouded passageways where no light beckons in the darkness. From the gothic guitar line that opens ‘In A Candle Flame’ the flickering shadows spread and the players awake from slumber via slow lumbering, bass heavy riffing and craggy vocals. You can practically smell the rancid rot of decay here as fetid croaks and snakelike guitar solos slither out the void. ‘All In One Night’ ups the ante a little rumbling out and deconsecrating the cemetery with bone-crunching drums and metallic licks which are continued with exuberance on Mercyful Fate cover ‘Nightmare Be Thy Name.’ It’s instantly identifiable despite the fact the tracks on the digital download I was sent coming out in the wrong order and the lack of falsetto screams. The evil cackles and classic vibe are the perfect macabre fit as the “master” is celebrated in all his glory, backing chants and twin guitars adding perfectly to the melody.

‘Circle Zero’ is all about gnarly black thrash and it illustrates a band seemingly frozen in time, old school and mysterious to the hilt, exactly what one would expect. Get caught in the twisting guitar solo and it’s guaranteed to turn your head round 180 degrees but the chanting appears to be ushering in the demon rather than attempting to exorcise it. Finishing off this all too short offering is ‘Where Everything Falls’ moving between a creepy black mass to urgent contorted riff work and hopefully setting up the framework of more material and a full length to follow. Consider this casket exhumed.

(7/10 Pete Woods)

https://www.facebook.com/mortuarydrape

https://peaceville.bandcamp.com/album/wisdom-vibration-repent