Quality over quantity is a popular saying but what if you can have both? Esoctrilihum and the man behind it all, Asthâghul has established himself as perhaps one of the hardest working entities in the Black Metal world. Continually pushing boundaries, and shapeshifting forms of Black Metal Esoctrilihum are a wonder to behold. Formed in 2016 this artist has pumped out a mass of releases with Döth​-​Derni​à​lh marking a spot as the monumental eleventh full length. I cannot attest to having heard every album and for sure there are highs and lows in what I have heard. However, quality is always on the agenda for Esoctrilihum and following on from the gigantic triple album that was Astraal Constellations Of The Majickal Zodiac I cannot wait to dive back in. This album comes through I, Voidhanger Records too which is so often a sure sign of brilliance. So let’s delve into Döth​-​Derni​à​lh.

Opening up with Atüs Liberüs (Black Realms Of Prisymiush’tarlh) there is a strong early 00s Symphonic Black Metal tone and for a long track it appears to evolve more than progress. The sound is quite frankly huge and in a classic Esoctrilihum manner experiments with different sounds from prior releases. The vocals are a lot more rasping, there’s also a good helping of clean vocals which gives the song a somewhat ritual or esoteric vibe and is akin to the emotion of Blackgaze. Turiälh (The Gloomy Wheel of Confusion) comes in next with a more guttural vocal tone, the bass really shines here too as a thundering force of almost Death Metal might. Overlaying all of this though is a delicate Melodic Black Metal air in the guitars which ties the whole song together along with the clean vocals once again. The drums have a ridiculous speed about them too at points, personally I absolutely love this inhuman rapidity. If you like your Black Metal as over the top as physically possible then I can think of no better example. Pushing the envelope further is Dy’th Eternalhys (The Mortuary Renewal) at a whopping sixteen minutes. It could be said that despite length some of these songs lack progression. What I mean by this is oftentimes there will be a sudden shift of tone which to some could be jarring. It doesn’t desperately bother me but sometimes it is nice to have a more gradual build up. Nonetheless Dy’th Eternalhys stands as another example of ludicrously excessive Black Metal both tonally and technically, to see this performed live would be a wonder to behold it has to be said.

The midsection of the release comes in the form of Lüthirkys Spasmuldis (Near Death Experience). This song contains a wealth of melancholy and suffering, as well as sheer titanic torment. I do feel like the mixing of the drums here could have been a little better but that is a minor point in comparison to the song as a whole. Zilthuryth (Void Of Zeraphaël) shows off some more of Esoctrilihum’s Atmospheric edge, some of orchestral or Symphonic stylings make it a somewhat peaceful track amid all the chaos, further adding to the wonderful journey of this record. Murzaithas (Celestial Voices) comes as a sort of evolution following on from Zilthuryth and personally that’s something I really love, bucking that Esoctrilihum trend of instantaneous tonal change. The bass plays an important role again and it’s here that you really feel as if each and every instrument is given an opportunity to shine throughout the whole release. Closing off the album is Özhirialh (The Mystical Radiance Of The Eternal Path) which implements similar melodic themes of the prior two songs whilst amping up some of the metallic flare in places. Overall a powerful closing track that doesn’t go above and beyond to outshine its predecessors.

The biggest thing that strikes me with Esoctrilihum is the sheer obsession that main man Asthâghul displays, every song is like a song within itself and the levels therein are so broad. Elements of Atmospheric, Symphonic, DSBM, Blackgaze and more can be found in this overwhelming and all-encompassing release. Truly a master of his craft, I would have to say that this album has somewhat won me over from an enjoyer of Escotrilihum to a full on fan. I’m eager for the next album, and to check out the ones I’ve missed. This sort of Black Metal isn’t for everyone, but if you’re like me and you like to see genres pushed to their absolute limit then prepare to be blown away.

(9/10 George Caley)

https://i-voidhangerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/do-th-derni-lh