You’ve only to take a glance at the current roster on this Belgian label to know that practically any of the releases is worth checking out and Portugal’s Corpus Christii have added to that wealth of talent by releasing their latest album with the label. Portugal isn’t always a country you associate with black metal; indeed, I can name Gaerea and Decayed as a couple I really have listened to in recent years, though there are others of course. Alongside Decayed, Corpus Christii are probably one of the most prolific and recognisable acts of the Portuguese black metal scene with a fairly vast discography behind them since their inception in the late 90s by Nocturnus Horrendus and ably assisted by J. Goat since 2015, with the former being a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist and the latter also playing guitar and bass. Both musicians are in a myriad of other bands which I won’t mention because there are far too many, but suffice to say they have experience by the truckload.

2017’s ‘Delusion’ was a fine affair, straight up glacial black metal with hint of progressivity as the band continues their unending vein of creativity on this ninth, yes ninth, album, something that has to be commended, considering the consistent quality that has been offered in the last two decades or so. Opener ‘Amargura’ is a lengthy intro piece with atmospheric effects, wind and acoustic like guitar work filtering through, conjuring images of bleak windswept shores or embittered wintry evenings that leads into ‘The Predominance’ where the melodic black metal riffing has that retro 90s aura fans of old school black metal will like. The modernised ferocity arrives via the blasting segments, with the croaky harsh vocals offering expressive tonal gradations as ‘Unearthly Forgotten Memory’ follows neatly with its isolated guitar and rumbling bass work in the background. Here we get what Corpus Christii do so well, quirky riff runs and savagery marrying up to craft an addictive tune especially with excellent riff break.

There are no filler tunes here, ‘Fragmented Chaos Disharmony’ also possesses a cool hook as the band favour the melodic aspect of black metal that you might hear on latter era Satyricon albums as their ability to cram so much into relatively short songs is awesome. Again, that catchy drive is prevalent to enhance the songs with deft guitar work, as I absolutely loved ‘From Here To Nothing’. Slightly longer the song is more explorative as it opens with isolated guitar riffing that swerves beautifully into some infectious and catchy melodies before shattering it with the blast beat, which even if brief is effective. Here we get those tonal vocal gradation avalanched upon us, varying the pitch, altering the aggression as a slightly cleaner style is adopted with great results.

Slowing things down a tad is ‘Behind The Shadow’ where the bass riff opening has a density you wouldn’t ordinarily expect on a black metal release. The switch to a sleazy riff has those hints of Satyricon again but also some Carpathian Forest filth too creating that sort of black ‘n’ roll the latter band has even if the tune has a wealth of blasted phases for power. Equally I enjoyed ‘For I Am All’ which returns the album to gelid grimness where the opening guitar has a bereft ethos that leads into mid-tempo pacing and a slightly eerier approach. Vocally harsh and possessing astute melancholy the song runs the gamut of speed adjustments as a cleaner vocal is also embedded for extra dramatic flair, leaving the album to finish with ‘Heinous’. I was expecting the closer to be a hideous violent affair based on its title but instead opens with atmospheric guitar work with a haunting style and snare rolls before it explodes into life. The song is laced with hooks and breaks all done with consummate cohesion as the blast does eventually arrive alongside a wailing drifting clean vocal that sets the song apart from the others in some respects. The mid-way riff break is awesome too, really catching the ear with its melodic catchy nature.

A fine new album by Portugal’s Corpus Christii, one bristling with cvlt black metal credentials. one that old school fans should absolutely be checking out and one that you will play many times such is its burgeoning brilliance.

(9/10 Martin Harris)

https://www.facebook.com/corpuschristii

https://digital.immortalfrostproductions.com/album/the-bitter-end-of-old