Band:	Serpent Noir
Album:	Death Clan OD
Style:	Black metal
Release date:	February 07, 2020
A review by:	nikarg

01. The Black Knighthood Of OD
02. Cutting The Umbilical Cord Of Hel
03. Hexcraft
04. Asmodeus: The Sword Of Golachab
05. Astaroth: The Jaws Of Gha'Agsheblah
06. Necrobiological Chant Of Talas
07. Goeh Ra Reah: Garm Unchained

While not exactly 'new', Serpent Noir is one of these newer, fire-engulfed tree trunks that keep the scene ablaze in the Greek black metal forest. It is a scene for fans of raw, unyielding energy on one hand, and of the more melodic and traditional metal on the other, shrouded of course in ghoulish, misty atmosphere.

If the above paragraph sounds appealing to you, check out Death Clan OD asap.

Moving towards a different direction from the one followed on the hypnotic masterpiece of the black metal underground that was Erotomysticism, Death Clan OD is an aggressive red dragon breathing second-wave black metal fire with morbid melodies and heavy metal hooks. The band's trademark ritualistic and doomy passages that enhance the mystical ambiance are still present, and the Greeks seem to balance the mid-tempo riffs and the thundering tremolos, not really being in favour of one or the other. However, it is evident from the songwriting that Serpent Noir don't want to bludgeon the listeners, but they prefer to lure them progressively into their abyss of dark magic rituals. And they manage that with the songs having an undulatory movement and transitioning from aural storm to catchy groove and to hypnotic passages, all wrapped up in the same ominous and chilling atmosphere.

Ghastly growls, spoken words and chanting add to the record's occult-ness, and this time around Serpent Noir have enlisted Swedish occult practitioner / esoteric author / founder of the magical order of 'Dragon Rouge' / Therion lyricist / university lecturer, Dr. Thomas Karlsson, to write all their lyrics and he also performs guest vocals on the closing track. "Goeh Ra Reah: Garm Unchained" epitomises everything this band is about; pummeling blastbeats, sinister melodies, black groove, and haunting chanting, all performed in just under seven minutes that will draw you one step closer to the realm of eternal evil.

Despite being a lot 'safer' compared to Erotomysticism, Death Clan OD is more than just another straightforward or orthodox black metal album. There is a whole concept behind it and it is clear that plenty of thought and effort went into conjuring up this ensorcelling piece of music. Serpent Noir do take their sweet time between releases but, as far as art is concerned, quantity will never be preferred over quality and [url= http://wtcproductions.bandcamp.com/album/death-clan-od]Death Clan OD has a great deal of the latter[/url].

"You can never get away of the reflection in the mirror
It will always reveal who you are
In the Temple of The Dragon
The box of Pandora is wide open"