The search for esoteric and divine knowledge is full of pitfalls and is more likely to lead to madness than true enlightenment. Basically, this is a very shortened summation of new artists Ornæmental Shine are focusing their narrative on. Just reading the press release that accompanies this debut release is enough to get one who has the task of describing it in a bit of a “panic” but the link between “the Madman and the Mystical” is not too difficult to grasp as a concept. Musically though this multinational collaboration which includes members of a Uada and Black Hate defies description and pigeonholing. Even the three-track, 30-minute running time is obtuse and irregular from any standard conventions but here we go.

Probably best described as avant-garde black metal but containing so much more, we are first ushered into “the threshold between Life and Death” by ‘Numinous Presence’ where are orators begin their descent into madness interpreted by the dual vocals of Jake Superchi and Marcos Barba. The pair of them hit practically every range imaginable to man from operatic hoary croons, to wails, rasps and screeches. Some actually beyond this into the primeval and bestial as demons descend and gibbering madness is induced. Musically it is at first a doomy template although the drumming is akin to suddenly blast away for a short while. Bass is thick with a jazzy meandering definition, noticeable in the mix and guitar work lingering serpentine around everything. At times there are technical embellishments and even moments of groove but the whole impact is strange and far from formulaic.

The 13-minute ‘Mysterium Tremendum et Fascinans’ is indeed a mystery before which humanity is both repelled and attracted to. From spoken distorted croaks and gurgles beyond the void a drumming beat clacks away which would not be out of place on a stoner rock number before we embark on a section that has the Norge-weird touch of artists such as Virus and Ved Buens Ende. Disharmoniously shape-shifting through varied speeds and tempos, it never stands still for a second and nor do the vocal contortions over the top of it all. It’s all rather bizarre but it really does grab your attention even if you may find yourself scratching your head rather than banging it at its confusing gyrations. A death grunt perhaps opens a portal and as vociferous spells are cast eldritch phantoms emerge. There are strange otherworldly screams to contend with, a section of hypnotic instrumentation and a conclusion with incessant tapping drums and grating guitars. Tribal beat elongated yells and theatrical speech peppers the last alchemical process ‘Apokathastasis.’ By now you could well be sitting in the corner wanting a straightjacket to make you all snug and comfortable, one thing assured we are well and truly in the mouth of madness.

Truly though, this is one of those where mere words are not enough and this is something you need to hear / confront, on your own terms and may YHVH guide you safely through and out the other side

(7.5/10 Pete Woods)

https://www.facebook.com/ornaementalshine

https://i-voidhangerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/deima-panikon