Genre: Black Metal
Label: Drakkar Productions
Line Up: Diabolical Egipan 666 : all instruments
Let's go back to writing about the one-man band Okkultum Magnificentia, but this time for
present the first full-length produced by the French label Drakkar Productions.
The self-titled album is quite faithful to the style of the previous recordings, but with one
decidedly more mature and varied composition.
The opening "To Iblis The Wicked" begins with a sound wall of guitars composed of cleverly arranged phrasing; we appreciate small parts typically Dark Wave that influences the whole album, "Faunus" is the proof.
Excellent vocal interpretation, passing from the classic scream to clean parts that at times recall the recitation of mantras; an effect used in "Through Sacrificial Flames", brings to mind "Necrobaratrum" from the album "Mysteria Mystica Zofiriana" by Necromass.
The drum machine is well structured, moreover, the search for more "electronic" sounds increases the Dark influence, further recreated by the minimal synths or by effects used in the Dark Ambient style, as in the song "Xerobios" which, together with the previous "A Backward Chant ", leaves some breathing space in the middle of the album by slowing down the speeds in favor of dark atmospheres.
In general, the sound is well balanced, and the guitars skilfully switch from classic Black Metal to Death Metal as in the track "Obsistere Contra"; however, too fast drum machine parts, even if short, flatten the sound, as they lack the dynamics typical of a real drum.
The bass line is not relevant.
"Thy Burning Children" is a dark and crazy chant that acts as an opening to the latest "Atavic Aggression": in the first part, it refers to the Thrash Metal school of the late 90s, to then become the most violent and Black Metal of the album.
Ultimately, a varied album full of well-blended musical influences.
S:A:M:A:
