Genre: Black Metal
Label: Total Death Records
Line Up:
Writing about this album is surprisingly easy, given its inherently high emotional impact. I'm referring to the new album by the Roman band Lapis Niger, currently fronted by Zrohell, the singer of the defunct band Noctifer, who boasts a distinctive rasping voice. Zrohell has managed to put together an equally strong line-up, inheriting the spirit of the old band. Since the early 2000s, Lapis Niger has been exploring occult sonic paths, releasing albums of remarkable quality.
Their goal isn't to revolutionize the genre; on the contrary, the band is dedicated to authentically playing direct Black Metal, infused with melodic touches capable of enveloping the soul of anyone who loves this sound. "Wrath of the Myths" truly lacks nothing: powerful riffs, clearly inspired by the Scandinavian school, follow one another, transitioning from pure malice to abyssal depths, enriched by whispers, suffering voices, and moments of deep pathos. The drums integrate perfectly, providing constant soundscapes or cadenced rhythmic variations in dialogue with the guitars.
The album is studded with tracks of considerable impact. A striking example is "Dionysus," which proves to be an emotional peak towards the end, offering gems of intensity alternating with a ferocity that evokes a primal chill. Tracks like "Lo Sguardo di Ade" or "Last Battle of Janus (WOTM)" are concrete proof of this. I find this band to be very similar to early Satyricon but with an added malevolent vein. This is a high-quality Italian work, ideal for anyone seeking direct, emotionally impactful Black Metal that remains true to the icy, dense forests from which the genre originated.
Dario "l'Omega il Rakshasa" Checchi
