A regular inducer of chaos befitting of Nyarlathotep itself, Esoctrilihum is well known to some of the writers of the more extreme works of this site, having been covered no less than six times previously. We are well aware of what we are normally letting ourselves in for before taking these releases on. Symphonic blackened metal as a base, terrifying gazes into worlds imagined by the likes of Lovecraft, Derleth, Campbell and Barker, strange and maddening titles and artwork and of course running times well in excess of the hour. Their composer, French musician Asthâghul has worked up a frightening body of work since conceiving this solo endeavour back in 2015 but here we are actually offered something a little bit different. We are informed by the label that this seventh album “contains seven of the most violent and nihilistic songs ever produced by the French one-man band.” Put simply, shitting us, they are not, nothing can really prepare you for this wonderous act of carnage and downright malevolence. The written prose accompanying the cover-art may go part of the way as it describes this “Sabbath of obscenity” and the abandonment of flesh that has led to this deranged rite of demonic summoning, the possession of its creator the aim of his earthly demise. Hopefully it can be taken in a literal sense as its madness is the sort of lunacy expected of the “Mad Arab” Abdul Alhazred himself. Also, it should be noted that the album weighs in at a slightly more restrained 42 minutes BUT goes way beyond any venom and power we have encountered thus far. Press play, come inside, we have wonderous sights and sounds for you.

With a sharp sound like a cheese grater sloughing off skin ‘Spiritüs Flesh’ plummets straight in with a multi-layered attack which never lets up during the entire recording. Drums have a jackhammer industrial sound to them that is completely pulverising and spells are furiously cast with authority and venom from the throat. Blood is obviously spilt as this ritual of summoning intensely furrows out the speakers with an evil cackle and zealous exuberance. You wont find any of the other titles translatable, they are straight out of a long forgotten and forbidden text. There may well be clues for those prepared to peel back the layers though. There are Middle Eastern harmonies found among the obliterating sonics of songs such as ‘Thertrh’ as it rages like a haboob unleashed by an evil djinn uncorked from a bottle. Despite the extremity which really is like no other, the symphonics are not forgotten, nor are the screams bursting out from the background like a backing chorus of the damned. Huge rolling timpani booms resound and the whole thrust is overwhelming before the next massive attack hones in grimly, throaty roars and screamed devilish diatribes yelled from all corners with no escape possible. As they reach a repetitive pitch, I am reminded a bit of Diabolos Rising but unlike their sadistic masterwork there are no ambient segments to hide in here.

Drums turn the storm to black, oppressive cloudy thunder as unleashed on ‘Tharseîdhon’ one fit to wipe any human construct built off the face of the earth as our black magician screeches away, grunts and contests the barrelling musicianship for which side of things can torment the most. Bells suddenly ring out adding an alarming sound, there may well be horned instruments layered deeply. One thing’s for sure it sounds like the walls of Jericho are tumbling down as biblical fury rains fire. Seriously this is the stuff of nightmares and possibly the evilest piece of music heard in a long time. But it is not something that needs to be endured like so many try-hard acts who swamp their music with unlistenable and unfathomable parts. It is vitriolic and despite the all-consuming nature a joy to be a part of and witness its rampaging, destructive force.

Naturally I wonder if it could be performed live, it would probably be far too dangerous to do so and would need a full troop of musicians. Perhaps members of Melechesh maybe capable of hitting the arcane and exotic tones of numbers like ‘Sydtg’ but by the end the audience would be torn to pieces, exactly how you will find yourself after listening to the album.

Sometimes less is more and although previous work has proven fascinating this strikes as an opus magnum for ‘Asthâghul’ and one you really have to hear. Everything about this is phenomenal and to be fair I have had to really restrain myself from giving this a higher mark as limits have been hit and surpassed.

(9/10 Pete Woods)

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https://i-voidhangerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/consecration-of-the-spiritu-s-flesh