Pretty conflicted about this. I guess on the whole it's ok, just about. Despite having all the songs from the demo, the demo still sounds "better." This one may technically sound superior but the demo definitely sounded cooler. Was dirtier, grittier, harder hitting and just had more oomph to it. This one feels a tad too full of atmospherics which I'm sure will appeal to more people. Often it feels like a few too many ingredients though.

I think my other issue is that they flew a bit too close to the sun, and it tries too much to sound like Demilich. Problem is Demilich is Demilich, and at best you can only write approximations of their sound and songwriting so you'll never be as good as the genuine article. I think after hearing this I much prefer Demilich influence rather than Demilich emulation. This doesn't really have the soul, tbh, as well as Demilich's clarity or focus.

It is good though, for what it is, and I know it's going to end up in just about every end of year list that gets made. If they made more tracks like 'Tales Of The Majora Mythos Part 1' I would be much more impressed. Really great song, and where they should head for next time.

I'm going to go listen to Demilich now.

Full stream

If you ask me, two Demiliches are better than one ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Written by Guest on 28.01.2016 at 03:56

If you ask me, two Demiliches are better than one ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I agree with you. This is not like Deathspell Omega or Blut Aus Nord wher many bands have started to play the stye as well. Demilich-style metal is virtually inexistent besides Demiich itself so if this sounds like Demilich, I woudn't mind at all.

Written by X-Ray Rod on 28.01.2016 at 19:00

Written by Guest on 28.01.2016 at 03:56

If you ask me, two Demiliches are better than one ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I agree with you. This is not like Deathspell Omega or Blut Aus Nord wher many bands have started to play the stye as well. Demilich-style metal is virtually inexistent besides Demiich itself so if this sounds like Demilich, I woudn't mind at all.

I wouldn't say there are many bands playing BaN-esque metal tbh.

Written by mz on 28.01.2016 at 20:06

I wouldn't say there are many bands playing BaN-esque metal tbh.

Yeah, I agree, in fact finding bands with tangible BaN influence is extremely rare, whereas DsO have actual clones left right and centre. Quite a decent amount of bands have subtle Demilich influence though, though none of them ape them as much as this band do. Have only revisited this record once since I left my comment; it's really meh, though that last track is still great.

Putting BaN-influenced bands togethr with DSO might have been a miss from my part but they are certainly more bands with BAN influences than there are bands with Demilich influences.

I usually find an odd riff or two in bands, rather than a theme of influence that runs through it, or something that is generally industrial black metal. I think maybe PHOBOS's 'Atonal Hypermnesia' could be an album totally taking on BaN's sound, but I can't think of any others. Bands that I listen to and think immediately "That is Blut aus Nord!" Could just be that BaN don't have enough of a signature sound? I feel like Demilich-ian dm is almost a thing though: Adramelech, Cosmic Atrophy, Biolich, Wakedead Gathering, Chthe'ilist... yeah that's probably it, so not much. I guess "influence" is a pretty vague term. You can be influenced by someone and not necessarily sound that much like them. I suspect both bands are massively influential in a broader spectrum.

Written by Guest on 28.01.2016 at 22:19
I suspect both bands are massively influential in a broader spectrum.

Yeah, that's the main thing for both of them. They don't have clones like DSO do. Another example being a lack of Mayhem clones while there are tons of Burzum and Darkthrone tones... Even though Mayhem is incredibly influential.

Also, I'd say the last Reverence album did take some tips and bits from BAN.

Written by Guest on 28.01.2016 at 22:19

I usually find an odd riff or two in bands, rather than a theme of influence that runs through it, or something that is generally industrial black metal. I think maybe PHOBOS's 'Atonal Hypermnesia' could be an album totally taking on BaN's sound, but I can't think of any others. Bands that I listen to and think immediately "That is Blut aus Nord!" Could just be that BaN don't have enough of a signature sound? I feel like Demilich-ian dm is almost a thing though: Adramelech, Cosmic Atrophy, Biolich, Wakedead Gathering, Chthe'ilist... yeah that's probably it, so not much. I guess "influence" is a pretty vague term. You can be influenced by someone and not necessarily sound that much like them. I suspect both bands are massively influential in a broader spectrum.

I find this also to be BaNish: http://www.cvltnation.com/exclusive-cvlt-nation-streaming-amnis-nihili-christological-escalation/

but yeah, cannot think of anything else, except for PHOBOS and khaotic thing you found the last year.
PS: and also there was a section of 30 seconds or so in the last infestus album

Finally got around to giving this a proper listen. Pretty good, but completely underwhelming compared to their demo.

This has a crazy high rating on RYM. I wonder if it'll go down over time, but I wouldn't be surprised if it tops the metal chart this year on that site.

Was really expecting something special here and was thoroughly disappointed. The production is heavily muddled in a very bad way and made all the songs sound same. I guess I must check out the demo.

Written by Guest on 03.02.2016 at 21:09

This has a crazy high rating on RYM. I wonder if it'll go down over time, but I wouldn't be surprised if it tops the metal chart this year on that site.

I really hope it doesn't. This album is nothing that special. But at the same time the voting in rym is quite a bit weird and I feel that its just albums that are overhyped top the metal charts there.

Written by 3rdWorld on 16.02.2016 at 19:03

I really hope it doesn't. This album is nothing that special. But at the same time the voting in rym is quite a bit weird and I feel that its just albums that are overhyped top the metal charts there.

RYM does have the most bizarre taste spectrum. Often downrate great underground stuff, whilst having a cult around certain not particularly impressive stuff. Weird.

Written by Guest on 16.02.2016 at 19:25

RYM does have the most bizarre taste spectrum. Often downrate great underground stuff, whilst having a cult around certain not particularly impressive stuff. Weird.

That's like, every website. Including this one

^ Indeed.

Actually there's only one person I know in the whole world who actually rates things properly

Written by Karlabos on 03.04.2016 at 01:49

Actually there's only one person I know in the whole world who actually rates things properly

I bet it was fucking God Buster.

Mother of God, I knew it

Written by Guest on 03.04.2016 at 03:35


I bet it was fucking God Buster.

Mother of God, I knew it

He is talking about Ponderer

Written by Karlabos on 03.04.2016 at 01:49

Actually there's only one person I know in the whole world who actually rates things properly

Is it this guy?

Written by Zap on 03.04.2016 at 10:10

Written by Karlabos on 03.04.2016 at 01:49

Actually there's only one person I know in the whole world who actually rates things properly

Is it this guy?

Yes, indeed. You know your stuff

What?? This album is outstanding. AotY material

Written by sgtrobo on 29.07.2021 at 08:16

What?? This album is outstanding. AotY material

Yeah I agree this is some fantastic death metal! Atmospheric, experimental in some parts, with great underworld vocals and surprisingly many technical guitar solos (see the end of track 3 )

Philippe Tougas is an absolute beast on this album. He joined VoidCeremony in 2020, and part of me is glad because their new mini album with him on the guitar is absolutely amazing, but the other part of me is sad because it's rather unknown when are we going to get another Chthe'ilist album.