First, I’d like to recognise what the band has done here. Often I’ll receive an album with a reference to an important but not universally known piece of history. The band might be lucky if I know of the events, or if it looks interesting I might research it briefly. In the case of “Zrádce” (Traitor), the lyrics are in Czech and the theme is the wars which took place between the Czech armies of the Přemyslid dynasty and the emperor from 1040 onwards, and all the treachery that went with it. The band has provided a concise explanation in Czech and English, which was most useful. Having read it, I felt I was in the battle zone and in tune with album I was about to listen to. The band Oblivium Regnum was formed with members of Depressive Reality, The Rays of the Sun and Stigma. The album features participation by members of other bands including Fleshless, and a church choir Catabundus, which told me that Oblivium Regnum go musically beyond the death metal core sound.
This work consists of four pieces, all related to the historical events. The first “Břetislav a Jitka” (Bretislav and Judita) references the kidnap and ultimate marriage of Judita with duke Bretislav. The choral harmony becomes distorted and twisted, turning to a dark and creeping death metal assault. With a female vocal providing a counter to the growls, and heavy music which moves forward, there’s an epic air. In a loose way, the tone reminded me of Agathadaimon or Graveworm. I was less keen on the female vocals, which struck me as a bit weak or perhaps to be charitable they were meant to be vulnerable, but the song as a whole has presence and melodically represents a war-like state. It is enhanced further by a nice guitar solo towards the end and the haunting air of the church chorists. The title song follows. After a tragic beginning, a darkly pompous riff strikes up. Between this, the hard-hitting drums and the deathly growls, there is no question that the song depicts war and terrible things. Oblivium Regnum are on the march, and take us with them. The tempo quickens. The guitar makes statements like mortal blows. The pace is measured. The roads are paved with blood. Yet there is room for flamboyance in the instrumentals. Without delay, “Homburg” is upon us. Imbued with dark riffage, and thematically based on the battle of Homburg of 1075, it’s an urgent and exciting piece of death metal which does its theme justice. The music of “Posledví Bitna” (The Last Battle) suggests that the land has been laid to waste. More funereal and doomy in tone than its three predecessors, the heavier, tomb-like progress and narrative are indicative of disaster. Indeed the king’s army has been defeated and revenge is being meted out. The music reflects dark and tragic times in its heavy, measured way.
Oblivium Regnum are successful in capturing the blood and treachery of the album’s theme through their music. “Zrádce” is vivid and atmospheric. It made an impression on me. Whether you’re interested in the history or not, it’s well worth a listen.
(8.5/10 Andrew Doherty)
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