Band:	Nephesh
Album:	Inter Armas Silent Leges
Style:	Symphonic black metal
Release date:	October 15, 2009
A review by:	Raiden

01. Vae Victus
02. Sangre Immortal
03. Tormentors of Sin
04. Death I Will Be Your Death
05. Fortaleza Eterna
06. Psalmorum
07. Sentence Darkness
08. Inter Armas Silent Leges
09. A Cold Breath
10. Symphony Of War
11. Apocalypsis 15 [bonus]

Style: Symphonic "Black" Metal
Country: Colombia
Label: Nokternal Hemizphear
Length: 43:19

Line-up:
Wolfgang - vocals, bass
Arnold - guitars, clean vocals
Adolpho - guitars
Jonathan - keyboards
Oscar - drums


The debut release from Colombian "Black" Metal band Nephesh is the first release from their studios. It also the first release from their style of music that I've reviewed before. Well...sort of. The band does play Black Metal, a type of music that very much familiar to me but they have Christian lyrics and themes and so on. So I guess you'd label them as Unblack or as I did in my first sentence, or however it's done. While I am entirely non-Christian or religious myself, it's hard to notice the Christianity here unless you read Nephesh's lyrics. In which case it becomes obvious. The rasped vocals and music itself sounds somewhat similar to other Symphonic Black Metal bands who preach opposite ideals.

This debut album's name in case anyone is wondering is Latin. "Inter arma enim silent leges" translated and reworded means "In times of war, the law falls silent". The title makes you think a bit at least. Moving on to the music contained therein however, the album starts with rather a glorious introduction. From the start the album makes you think that perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if it was symphonic. I must say too I do enjoy the chanting and atmospheres contained at the start and throughout. The whole album does have rather a sinister and eerie aura contained through it. Every now and then you'll hear simple but almost creepy piano (and sometimes other instrument) pieces. The effect blended with the metal music is really quite interesting.

Having praised the atmospheric and symphonic parts of Inter Armas Silent Leges, I can understand that they still might not appeal to traditionalist raw Black Metal fans. The album overall is melodic as well as extreme and obligatory comparisons to other popular bands playing similar music will no doubt ensue. To let you know about the metal elements of the album though, Nephesh play a heavy and distorted mixed with fast strumming raw Black Metal guitar sound. Fast drumming is also included as standard but it does sound quite mechanical. The vocals are a bit of a mixed bag as there are rasps, quite deep and guttural...growls I guess you'd call them and occasional spirited clean vocals. The rasps aren't too bad albeit drowned out at times. The combination with these and the deep harsh vocals brings unfortunate comparisons to bands such as Cradle Of Filth, but I guess Nephesh aren't entirely original in this aspect.

Those who enjoy Symphonic Black Metal regardless of lyrical content would I think find some enjoyment with Inter Armas Silent Leges. This sort of thing has definitely been done before but Nephesh do a reasonable job at it. With their well implemented atmospheres and catching auras, it's reasonable enough to warrant subsequent listens.