Band: Haeresiarchs Of Dis
Title: In Obsecration Of The Seven Darks
Label: Moribund Records
Distribution: Moribund Records
Release date: April 19th 2011
Review: CD

One of my favourite albums from last year is, without any doubt, Denuntiatus Cinis, Haeresiarchs Of Dis’ Moribund-debut (review posted on October 13th 2010). And bow now for your Lord (however he or she might be) because In Obsecration Of The Seven Darks goes on in the vein of the former full length.
Again a long duration: fifty one minutes (the former one lasted for more than an hour), and again with not one single moment of boredom or dullness.
This sophomore release too is heavily influenced by Emperor’s In The Nightside Eclipse-era, built on fast and orchestral Black Metal (listen to Ensorcelled By Khaos and you’ll understand). But de nouveau this album is not just a cheap, predictable Emperor-copy. First of all, Haeresiarchs Of Dis play in the vein of, yet with an own interpretation. They do use the same ultra-grim ingredients (a breath-taking speed with lots of decelerations and tempo-changes, bombastic parts with keyboards and massive guitar-walls, technical aggression versus primal craftsmanship, somewhat high-pitched screaming, some dissonant riffs etc.), yet in another combination, let’s put it that way… The variation is more inherent in Haeresiarchs Of Dis’ case.
Secondly, Haeresiarchs Of Dis add elements from related genres, like Epic Nordic Black, Post-Black and Industrial. These elements are additional, not leading, yet of undeniable importance for the sound and the concept of this project.
Tertio, not all songs are Black Metal-based. Onward Through The Oculus, for example, is a shorter piece, somewhat a shamanistic chant with a haunting-ambiental atmosphere; Confounded By The Vanquished Coil starts with a floating Ambient-Industrial intro; Passage is a repetitive passage, an apocalyptic-atmospheric soundtrack à la some bleakened Puissance or Coph Nia; Grazioso Drone is an acoustic Neo-Folk piece; etc.
If you could appreciate Denuntiatus Cinis – and why shouldn’t you – you will adore In Obsecration Of The Seven Darks as well.

88/100

Ivan Tibos.