I have a feeling like I travelled back in time,
and it is something like 12-13 years ago. Back then I was trading tapes and
CDRs with some metal comrades and one of them – I don’t remember who, I think
it was Tom from Throneum – recorded for me few French black metal bands. Among
them there were such acts like Diamond Eyed Princess (shitty moniker, but
really good music!!!!), Noctis, Crystalium and Osculum Infame. I don’t really
remember which material of Osculum Infame did I get back then and did I like it
or not, as it was long time ago and I don’t even remember a single note of the
music, but the name somehow stack in my mind. And when I saw that Battlesk'rs
Productions releases the new material of Osculum Infame I was like “fuck, I
remember them! They still exist??”!! Hehe, now seeing that this French horde
released several recordings during the past 15 years it may sound slightly
funny, but from the other hand there was a ten years long break in the 2000’s,
when Osculum Infame seemed to be on a hiatus, and their last full length album
(“Dor-Nu-Fauglith”) was unleashed back in 1997! Anyway, now the band is back in
form, in 2010 Osculum Infame unleashed EP titled “Quwm” and a compilation CD
and now it’s time for another new release, titled “Consuming the Metatron”.
This is limited to 777 copies digipack featuring new and unreleased material, one
track from 2011 called “Inner Falling for the Glory of God” and five tracks
coming from their last recording session and from an unreleased album recorded
early in 1999 under the title “The Serpent of the Ages”. All in all there are
six tracks closed in about 30 minutes.
Well, I must say that I completely didn’t know
what to expect from Osculum Infame, except that it must have been black metal,
so I do must admit that I really, really like “Consuming the Metatron” and it actually turned
out to be much better than I expected. I don’t know why, but I kind of thought
it will rather be simple, raw and obscure primitive black metal, but no way you
can say something like that about Osculum Infame. OK, the music is utterly
morbid and obscure, hateful and dark. Speaking of the atmosphere this is
classic black metal release and I do must admit that the French band managed to
capture what I call the essence of black metal in excellent way. The mood of
their music is just blood freezing and totally involving. But above all I must
admit that the quality of the material from “Consuming the Metatron” is just
beyond my expectations. I mean this probably may be one of the best black metal
releases, which I have listened to this year. From the first listen I got
drowned by this music and its atmosphere and I must admit that I really, really
like it. Osculum Infame plays very much Scandinavian influenced black metal,
you may be able to pick up several names to compare this French horde with, but
it doesn’t really matter, I don’t think of it, but rather focus on the
excellent music.
The riffing is just killer here. I did mention
that Osculum Infame sounds quite Scandinavian, but they don’t just sound like
one band and almost every song here is different to the previous one. Just
listen to the beginning of this CD - “Dark Wickedness” is just classic black
metal, at few times resembling for instance the recent Gorgoroth, Marduk, Ondskapt
and Ofermod albums, speaking of the
vocals and the dark atmosphere. Then there is “The Whisper of the Witch”, which
is more atmospheric, melodic and harmonious, especially in this beginning,
where you can even hear some cello and quite happy, folky melody, but don’t
think this is sugary shit, as the tempos are fast and uncompromising all the
time through the song. Finally the third act, “Kein Entkommen”, can give you
thrills with its relentlessness and straight forward attitude, as well as
simple riffing, more in the old black metal traditions.
And so every song seems to be different to the
previous one, but I’m not gonna describe every piece of “Consuming the Metatron”
separately, listen to it yourself and discover it. It is enough that each of
them has something different to offer and as the whole this MCD is as varied as
black metal can only be, but within the limitations of this genre. I mean the
whole basis of this music is classic BM, but there are so many extras within
every track that it makes it totally involving and interesting. Like in “Kein
Entkommen”, which I just mentioned, I mean this song starts with almost punkish
simplicity, with the riffing, which can combine some Darkthrone, Gorgoroth and
Taake, but its mid part is something totally different, it is very doomy, very
melancholic, with sort of church like organs, sirens wailing in the back and
almost agonising vocals, so the atmosphere is very, very gloom here. Not to
mention all those things, which happen in “The Whisper of the Witch”, which as
far as I can admit is the best song from the entire MCD.
A special attention must be given to “Inner Falling for the Glory of God”,
a song from the upcoming second album of Osculum Infame, “The Act of Blood”. Well,
let me just say that if the whole album will be like this song and as
diversified and well composed / played as the whole “Consuming the Metatron” then it will be a must
to obtain. Can’t wait!
Standout tracks: “The Whisper of the Witch”, “Absolute
Me Not!”, “Inner Falling for the Glory of God”
Final rate: 90/100
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