When you think of the origins of black metal, Costa Rica is not one that automatically springs to mind yet Culto Negro are here to try and change that particular way of thinking. La Noche Oscura Del Alma is the first full length sacrifice from this blackened thrash horde and this offering is a full-on onslaught of epic proportions. Having formed back in 2015 they have released just one teaser on the world prior to this album and that was a resounding success so I was expecting great things of this ritual.

The album, from start to finish, is diabolical and aggressive. The riffs which are injected into the tracks are ferocious and vehement, the crunching bass lines which sit behind the malevolent six strings are more muscular and barbaric in their deliverance, controlling the whole fracas and holding it firmly to the ground somewhat reminiscent of a giant anchor controlling a huge marauding cruise ship. The vocals being delivered by D.N are venomous and vicious, spat out with spite and malice, only pausing at times in order to be able to fill his lungs ready to deliver more hate fuelled passion and power. As the vocals are all in Spanish, it is difficult to immediately decipher the meaning behind the words being delivered to you but this somehow allows you to soak up the musical donation and appreciate it with the lyrics being a welcomed addition in this darkened journey.

Arroyo and Sancho manipulate their fretboards with style and anger, the riffs are abrasive and uncompromising from the off, the bass of Antichristopher is brutal and fierce with each strike of the thicker strings reverberating throughout the tracks on which they infiltrate with a darker elegance and sophistication. As the album progresses the styles they adopt are utilised with an exacting precision, we are greeted by the obvious traditional black metal attack, guttural and roaring death metal tinges as well as frenetic and mesmerising thrash elements, all encompassed within a measured and structured approach to the make-up of each of the tracks.

This album, even with the band being in their infancy relative to the other kids on the block, exudes an air of maturity and wisdom. There is controlled lunacy conveyed with hostility and anger whilst still maintaining an air of warmth and cordiality which translates across to a feeling that they are welcoming you into their embrace with open arms and sincerity.

Do not overlook this release, I can pretty much guarantee that once you have allowed the ‘black cult’ into your soul then it will be embedded for a very very long time to come.

(8/10 Phil Pountney)

https://www.facebook.com/cultonegrocr

https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/la-noche-oscura-del-alma