Band:	Blut Aus Nord
Album:	777 - The Desanctification
Style:	Industrial black metal
Release date:	November 2011

01. Epitome VII
02. Epitome VIII
03. Epitome IX
04. Epitome X
05. Epitome XI
06. Epitome XII
07. Epitome XIII

777 - The Desanctification is the second part of the "777" trilogy which has so far been exhilarating enough to casually brush shoulders with one by their natal peers, Deathspell Omega. With the second part, Blut Aus Nord decided to go with a radically different sound when compared to 777 - Sect(s).

The chaos from 777 - Sect(s) is shunned in favor of much more repeating and structured song writing. It's now more brooding and resonating. While 777 - Sect(s) was a little more varied, this record is monolithic rather than diverse; it's unnerving rather than disorienting; it's breathtaking rather than suffocating. It makes the previous record look like a clumsy mess, and the previous record was nothing to scoff at. It makes you marvel at the caliber of these Frenchmen.

The sound is cold and hostile. The guitars have the characteristic black metal grimness, which is further roughened and frayed by the production. The drumming is done by a machine, which further attenuates any trace of warmth and introduces the trademark industrial tinge to the sound. The hostility of the industrial elements wed with the murkiness of the black metal elements. Then the rare cameos of the vocals come along and rip away any comfort mistakenly left over.

All the components are put together and played in calm, pounding rhythms and the tracks trudge along in a patient pace, slowly yet surely sucking away at your very soul. Then just as things start to drag, a majestic and melodic tune snidely tucks itself amidst the mix, and casually takes your breath away, leaving you euphoric. Then the track ends, leaving you with an insatiable hunger for more. Thus, the whole record ends and you subconsciously reach for the repeat button.

If that doesn't entice you to listen to this record, I really don't know what will. It's one of those rare beauties which are complex and intriguing yet captivating and addictive at the same time. You get hooked to the record as soon as the first riff hits. Makes me wonder? what on earth is going on in France? Maybe it's the stinky cheese, but I don't really know. What I do know, though, is that 777 - The Desanctification is as close to a masterpiece as it gets, and damn it, I just can't get enough.