Deathspell Omega - Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice review
| Band: | Deathspell Omega |
| Album: | Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice |
| Style: | Black metal |
| Release date: | February 2004 |
| Guest review by: | VloRD |
01. First Prayer
02. Sola Fide I
03. Sola Fide II
04. Second Prayer
05. Blessed Are The Dead Whiche Dye In The Lorde
06. Hétoïmasia
07. Third Prayer
08. Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice
09. Odium Nostrum
10. Jubilate Deo (O Be Joyful In The Lord)
11. Carnal Malefactor
12. Drink The Devil's Blood
13. Malign Paradigm
Deathspell Omega needs no introduction. Producing remarkable work for over a decade, they have placed a firm foothold over the black metal industry. Known for their trademark sound, they are one of the most respected metal bands in the modern era. And with the release of Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice, they began to accumulate the recognition they deserved.
Right off the bat, the first thing that will be noticed is the gargantuan length of the album. Clocking in at an intimidating 1:20 hours, it actually becomes a drawback of the album. But this irritancy becomes bearable by the prayers, which are basically airy tracks, which provide intervals between the other songs.
Typically, the riffs in the album are complex, long and pretty ambiguous. The guitars have a very thick tone, and tend to be relentlessly fast. The vocals don't try to stand out. It's harsh, has a menacing accent, but only supplements the music. But the most outstanding musical element in the record is the drumming. Not just pallid blast beats, the drums are chaotic, wild and out of control during the extreme moments, yet it resonantly trudges during the slower parts. Overall, the performance is diverse, intriguing and a wonderful display of musicianship.
The lyrical content on the album is based on metaphysical Satanism. The lyrics of the band are often hailed as unique and insightful. It uses statements from the bible/church, and the band portrays Satan as god. But most importantly, it's fascinating, and hence adds substance to the record, and does not mar it with cliché and half-baked lines.
Production wise, the album becomes a bit challenging to listen to. The guitars buzz, and whatever rhythm is achieved is hidden beneath a wall of noise. It may all just sound like an ugly cacophony of instruments to the untrained ear. But after repeated listens, it all falls in place.
With the prayers in the album, the album gets split into three parts. The prayers are slower songs, with dawdling and recurring riffs and weird chants in the background. These tracks set the tone for the proper songs which make the album eerie and murky. The song structures are distinct and varied. Wildly chaotic moments quickly transcend to mid-paced riffs, with some defined melody ("Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice"). Some songs even have choruses, and stay uniform throughout ("Sola Fide I & II). "Jubilate Deo (O Be Joyfvl in the Lord)" and "Malign Paradigm" have majestic and epic riffs with some incredible melody.
Overall, the album is eerie, unique and extremely captivating. Deathspell Omega have truly reinvented the wheel with this record. Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice is a welcome breath of fresh air to the black metal industry and is a cornerstone for yet another stage of evolution for the genre.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 10 |
| Originality: | 10 |
| Production: | 9 |
Written by VloRD | 20.06.2011
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
Comments
Comments: 17
Visited by: 151 users
| koob Posts: 367 |
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| azucarnegra Posts: 4 |
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| Slayer666 Posts: 2466  |
This is the weakest part of DSO's "Trilogy", IMO. Good stuff, but DSO would really shine only in later albums. 8.3 - 8.5 from me, no more.
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374  |
Written by Slayer666 on 06.08.2011 at 14:33 Meh I find it equally strong if not stronger than the others. The lenght of the album is too long though but I guess it has to do with the concept but I do think the track Drink the Devil's Blood was completely unnecessary since it didn't really have anything to dow ith the concept of the mass as the res tof the songs has. This guy totally ninja'd me in doing this review. I will probably write mine anyway just because... My rating would be quite similar though 
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374 |
Written by [user id=4365] on 06.08.2011 at 15:32 You are talking about Kenose right?
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374 |
Written by [user id=4365] on 06.08.2011 at 16:07 Chaining The Katechon. That one is good but not nearly as good as albums like Fas or SMR,Q, let alone Kenose. Don't know why you mention it.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374 |
Written by [user id=4365] on 06.08.2011 at 16:12 For some reason I knew you were going to answer lebowski style.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071  |
Written by [user id=4365] on 06.08.2011 at 16:44 By EVERY ONE loves that film, and regards it as the best thing since sliced bread  Not me though. It's enjoyable for one viewing but that's it, nothing more. Probably the weakest Coen brothers film.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| !J.O.O.E.! Account deleted |
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 06.08.2011 at 16:50 I quite liked the first half of the film which was quite amusing but it felt like it took a massive tonal shift in the second half and that put me right off. It just seemed to lose what it set out to do.
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| Daniell _爱情_ Elite Posts: 6100  |
I'll join the party of those who don't hold Big Lebowski in such high esteem. Fargo, No Country for Old Men, Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink, Dead Simple, True Grit - they're all better.
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| VloRD Posts: 113  |
Written by Slayer666 on 06.08.2011 at 14:33 Please do! It'll be nice to compare yours with mine
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374 |
Written by VloRD on 21.01.2012 at 11:59 You quoted the wrong fella though XP But thanks for the comment... I might work on it when I get the chance. I liked your review so this is not a competition
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| VloRD Posts: 113 |
Written by X-Ray Rod on 21.01.2012 at 12:45 Yikes! I posted it through my mobile...and thank you! 
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