Catacombs of Doom - Resurrection of the Flesh
A new release from an act which I haven´t heard before, although they have existed since 2009. They have even been on Craneal Fracture Records, which yours truly (back in the day) have had the pleasure of having some releases out on. Nonetheless, Resurrection of the Flesh is their fifth album. Released via Black Death Industry, and distributed via Depressive Illusions Records. So far it has come out on limited tape and CD. A full-length album containing 9 tracks.
The first track on the album is simply called Resurrection of the Flesh (like the album). Evocative and satanic vocals, ritualistic beatings with a great and varied dark-ambient soundscape running in the background. That doesn't sound like much, but it´s actually quite a big and epic thing. A well thought conceptual sound, with a well thought lyrical theme on top of it. I wish there were more black metal bands who would do this kind of stuff. Sort of like... Sleep Chamber for black metal fans without guitars. Really love the sound quality here, top edge soundtrack quality that is.
The next track Forlon of the Hammer takes the listener back to that old In Slaughter Natives sound (which I miss). A Barbaric and horrific slaughter of the innocent. Makes me think of how horrific it would be to spot that Viking ship in the distance (out in the sea), and know that your village is utterly doomed. That´s the kind of feeling this track will give you. And those who will survive the slaughter will be a slave of course. A very horrific soundscape with evil intent for sure, lovely drums here.
The third offering Invictus turns the intensity into a more... "relaxed" state. More of a melancholic and tragic atmosphere here, with a violin there and some poetic esoteric-themed lyrics here.
In the fourth track Dreams of Ninevah, we are introduced to haunting female vocals (Strawberry Switchblade fans anyone?). These vocals are mixed with the sinister male vocals here. Not really sure what I think when these two are combined, but it actually does sound better than I thought it would. I love the various effects on the vocals here. Reverb reversed, stretched, and so on.
The fifth track Odor Mortis has some cool tribal stuff going on. If you would remove the vocals, it would sound a bit like something from SPK´s Zamia Lemahl. Dark and satanic world music if you please.
We jump to the seventh track Witch Trial. Sounds a lot like Aghast (R.I.P). So far my favorite track on the album. The drums sound good, the violin is creepy and the vocals are very exquisite. I must admit, the female vocals on this album are more... authentic-sounding than the male vocals, matter of taste I know.
Lovely ritualistic undercurrents with the eight-track called Nebuchadnezzar´s Dream. A great follow-up to the former track Witch Trial. Again, lovely old CMI sound going on here. Love that witchy kind of atmosphere going on, out in the forest at night at a cemetery etc etc.
We end the album with a cover of a track originally made by Necromantia. Almost kind of Arabic moments with a hint of Dead Can Dance here. And that ends the album.
Lots of nifty satanic esoteric moments to be found and heard on this album, and the sound quality (good mastering) is a treat for the ear as well. At times I do think that the growling male black/death-metal vocals require too much of the listener's attention, whereas the female vocals work better in that way. But again, it´s a matter of taste. You can purchase your copy on the link below!
Depressive Illusions (label):
Facebook (band):
Bandcamp (band):