Portuguese Black Metal band Mallus Spiritus trace their lineage back to the 90’s and a few quietly released demos. Now, thirty years on and with a lifetime of experience under their collective bullet belts, they have returned with a debut album in tow and one original member less, operating these days as a duo rather than the original trio. Their debut album entitled ‘Vultures of Despair’ has been released on CD by label Raging Planet Records.
Right from the off I have to say this album, long time coming it may be, but it does nothing for me. Let’s start with the drums; obviously a drum machine and a basic one at that, the drum tones are basic and boring, lacking any real variation in tone and due to the obvious drum machine sound have a weak unflattering sound.
What Mallus Spiritus do get right is the vocals which are rasping and brooding in equal measure and at points in the album do lend it a certain dark, menacing vibe. On to the guitar tones and this tends to fluctuate between simple grim Black Metal fare and chugging Death Metal tones, both of which lack any real intensity in their sound. As for bass play, there is little to speak of.
‘Vultures of Despair’ is a poor sounding album that sounds like it was recorded in a bedroom mostly using online tools. There is no heart or soul, no intensity and nothing grips me about it whatsoever.
(3/10 Marksson)
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