This is the fifth album by Germany’s Chaos Invocation who I was introduced to on their second album ‘Black Mirror Hours’ and reviewed for the site back in 2013. I have kept up with the band since as each subsequent album has been a textbook demonstration in blackened death metal and this latest album is no different. The expected explosion of obsidian wrath on the title track fails to materialise initially as a superb lead guitar intro is heard alongside some heartfelt melancholy which bristles with poignancy as the riff is inserted like a ceremonial dagger. The blasted onslaught is clinical yet organic as the hostile vocals offer that virulence we heard on previous albums. I really do like the riffs on this album and the opener offers a scathing riff break before the return of blasted fury. Momentum is retained on ‘Ideal Sodom’ where the speed is incessant and the vitriol rains down with unmitigated scorn adding in clean vocals sang by the guitarist. The speed is reminiscent of Marduk in places, that warring intent is palpable as a brilliant riff change ensues with left and right switching stereo arrangements that I have always liked on guitar work.
A slowing down appears on ‘Golden Gates And Terrene Light’ with a melodic riff and a sound that is very like Dissection especially when the guitar hook washes through the songs fabric. Intrinsic melodicism is rife here, the barbaric vocal enhances the aura as clean vocals filter in that owe plenty to Nergal of Behemoth. There’s even a spoken piece right before the riff break and caustic riff assault that is utterly superb and one of the catchiest riffs I’ve heard this year. The return to slower realms virtually sections that middle blast phase as though it is different song but the cohesion is astoundingly executed. One of the longer tracks appears next titled ‘’Bridges Aflame’ as here we get another slower more doleful opening with some eeriness attached to the song via effects. The song is doom like in pace initially as wailing noises lead into an acerbic riff break and impending blast beat. The balance between outright face ripping velocity is something this band does exceptionally well, with deviations in pace accompanied by riff adjustments.
Unadulterated primal rage appears via ‘No Throne Withstands’ and has some thrash like riffage before the detonation of speed as fans of earlier Watain material will hook into songs like this. The lead work is phenomenal too, not your three second bursts of fret gymnastics there has been considerable thought gone into how they fit into the songs. Returning to slower territory ‘This World Wants Us Dead’ has a doleful melody on its opening replete with emotive guitar work that allows the drum work to add an air of gravitas. It is a serene opening as the morosity drenches the song to such a degree it feels haunting and ethereal, only to fade away to unveil another staggering riff and vocal assault. The vocals have tons of charisma with gradations in tone subtly done, including whispered styles and cleaner shouts yet imbibed with that ethos of barbarism.
‘Only In Darkness’ is the album’s epic construction, with an atmospheric black metal styling that fans of acts such Winterfylleth will appreciate as the track has underlying eerie vocals that seem to wail lightly underneath the overall mix. The flood of blasted speed is superbly added as the song writhes and contorts with nuances in speed as that eerie vocal wail drifts in almost unnoticed. The massive drop in pace returns the song to more melancholic charms as a bereft aura is felt before the guitar work inserts another riff change. You could even say there is a progressiveness to the song as clean vocals are added by the guitarist about half way in. At times creepy and almost foreboding the song changes constantly with adroit melodic soundbites that enhance the songs epic stature.
The release closes with ‘Engravings Of The Quivering Pedestal’ and an awesome terrifying dread filled riff introduces its enraging onslaught. The contrasts between the songs is brilliantly done and ending the album with an incendiary slab of sonic savagery reminds you of how utterly sulfuric this band is in penning caustic riffs with unmitigated violence. The speed is incessant here again, the blast speed is unforgiving and the riffing is materialistically abrasive and corrosive producing an experience that is deferentially brutalising.
(9/10 Martin Harris)
Leave a Reply