Band:	Profanatica
Album:	Crux Simplex
Style:	Black metal
Release date:	September 22, 2023
A review by:	X-Ray Rod

01. Condemned To Unholy Death
02. Take Up The Cross
03. The First Fall
04. Meeting Of A Whore
05. Compelled By Romans
06. Wipe The Fucking Face Of Jesus
07. The Second Fall
08. Cunts Of Jerusalem
09. The Third Fall
10. Division Of Robes

Few black metal bands put as much emphasis on sheer disgusting blasphemy as Profanatica does. And while their image might look campy and excessive, they have always been serious about it. Even more so on Crux Simplex.

It takes dedication to stay kvlt for as long as Profanatica has done in its 3 decade long ride. Founder Paul Ledney and co had a rough start though. After two years of demos, the band disbanded. Most of their material at the time would end up as Havohej’s cult classic, Dethrone The Son Of God. It took Profanatica 15 years to get back from the dead and release their debut album. Making up for lost time, they have put out a steady stream of full lengths ever since.

And just like with Paul’s other project, Havohej, the premise here is rather simple but effective: Pure. Fucking. Evil. Aaaaaarrrrghhhh *puking noises*

But there is more to it than meets the eye. Now on their 6(66)th album, Profanatica is well aware of what elements to focus on in order to get a solid sound palette. The raw black metal riffs have a potent death metal influence. This is mainly due to the production that gives the guitars that classic chainsaw sound. In fact, I’d dare say this is their most professionally sounding album as the evil riffs truly shine and resonate well with just the right amount of droning feedback and dissonance. The drumming on the other hand is rooted in black metal with a constant blasting that feels very punk-ish during the fast, near thrashy sections. But it’s when Profanatica slows things down a bit that I find the most enjoyment out of Crux Simplex. These slower passages are absolutely crushing. Along with the raspy and filthy vocals, the result ends up being highly morbid and bestial. Tracks like “Take Up The Cross”, “Compelled By Romans”, and the ending piece “Division Of Robes” are borderline death/doom metal and add much needed variation. The last of these songs actually surprised me a fair bit with its oddly sophisticated ambient ending. With the rotten filth that came before it, the contrast ends up evoking unsettling images not unlike the ones I found at the end of the movie Hereditary which also used celestial music for a terrifying result.

I don’t want to drag this out any longer. Profanatica is a really transparent band and you know what to expect simply by looking at their artwork. Fans of sick, primitive black metal should take notice.