The description of this is “Polish black metal”, and everything about the packaging of CD that came to enable this review speaks “black metal”. Rarog’g has been around for 20 years, during which time they have released three albums including this one.
One thing which is noticeable from the outset is the tightness of the playing. The album opens with “Oczyszczenie” (Purification), a dark piece as you’d expect but it is a driving force with atmospheric diversions. It reminded me a little of Immortal. Rarog’g up the tempo. The fire continues to burn. A spoken passage takes us into last, ominous section. “Poprzez Czarne Światło” (Through the Black Light) explodes into a scene of well-orchestrated black metal. Harshness, fire and also colour characterise the music. A dark drum beats and an organ cries as the song moves to another level and builds up in intensity and tension. The backing rhythm “Gniew” (Anger) recalls a hangman’s swinging noose. Instrumentally the sound expands and lingers. There’s an element of Burzum in the despairing ambience.
“F.T.C. II” is another focussed black metal assault. “Surtur’s Fire” then starts ominously with the voice of a child. The imminent threat comes nearer. Progress is leaden and doom-like. It doesn’t seem to get going. The deadened rhythm of “Surtur’s Fire” runs through to “Początek Końca Koniec Początku” (The Beginning of the End, the End of the Beginning). It provides a certain magnetism. Spoken narrative accompanies the rhythm before fuel is added, the music intensifies and the growling vocalist takes over the story. Bells ring, the drum beats darkly and there is the ambiance of a funeral taking place. This, appropriately, is “Funus Mundi” (Funeral of the World). The atmosphere remains. Basically this is the outro.
Here’s another one to add to the pyre of solid black metal albums. “Homo ad Fundum” is well constructed. Ragog’g prove they are good at creating dark songs and atmospheres. “Homo ad Fundum” is a competent album but I wouldn’t say it is exceptional.
(6/10 Andrew Doherty)
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