Canadian vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Paulus Kressman is notable for having actively participated in a large array of extreme outfits over the past three decades. This career has seen him in lurking in the UnderWorld as essentially a drummer and guitarist in the likes of Rites Of The Degringolade, Demoncy, Sacrilega, Weapon and even live with Incantation, which is a pretty impressive cast-list. Here he has set upon a slightly different path and turned to Neofolk as his latest artistic expression. A solo effort with some help on backing vocals by S.P. Hache of Tithe, this journey into Hades is said to appeal to fans of acts such as King Dude and Crooked Mouth.
Pressing play, I was actually first struck by a similar vibe to the work of Tony Wakeford & David Tibet and music by the likes of Sol Invictus and Current 93, which certainly bodes well as they are innovators within their field. This is not at the wistful and hippy end of the genre, there are plenty of strident effects to be found such as the sonorous clang of the opening note, booming percussion, the ring of gongs and shaking of rattles. Paulus also has a great voice perfectly suited to the style. An austere and loud delivery full of rafter-reaching croons and hollers that naturally roll off the tongue.
Songs are kept at succinct lengths over the ten tracks and melodies are both evocative and incredibly memorable. It only takes a couple of listens to get them stuck in your head and remaining there long after the album has finished. There is a sense of yearning on numbers such as ‘Dagda’ where the listener is beseechingly encouraged to “return to the old ways” and “what once was.” The call is irresistible and in no time you are going to find yourself singing along and immersed in the melody. ‘Open Up The Gate’ has a bit of a jolly rhythm to it even if the subject matter is perhaps all about letting dark forces in. The clamorous end of this leaves you in no doubt that this particular portal is now wide open and spirits are freely released. The midway instrumental ‘Spiritualis Architectus’ is also notable due to the full echoing might of the slow percussion being unleased and bouncing around what feels like a vast cavern. The crackling flames and acoustic strum of ‘Into The Fire’ is a song to warm the heart rather than see the listener burst into flames. The vocal whoops are inflected in a joyous, loud, irresistible manner and listening to it whilst gazing as the album’s stunning artwork by Jaime Longa adds to the vision leaving you hungering to step right aboard the precarious boat and undertake this haunting journey down the river Styx.
(8/10 Pete Woods)
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