Archive of all the album reviews of Metamorphosphoros:
*Reviews appear in alphabetical order by the name of their zine. They will also have the reviewer's name or alias (if its known) featured aside and their rating (if any) shown at the end.
*Some reviews may state incorrect information such as dates concerning releases or activity periods. Any statement or opinion written in them is entirely of the responsibility and views of their author and nothing will be omitted, being positive, negative or incorrect, the reviews are untouched.
*Reviews which were not written in English and have no translation made by the reviewer will still be listed in their original language unless the review was printed in it's native language and not available on the web and there was no written translation sent to the band.
PRECARIA / DEATHSPIRAL OF INHERITED SUFFERING / DOMINUS IRA - METAMORPHOSPHOROS (2018)
Politically, it is not always very good between the United States on the one hand and Mexico and Russia on the other. On a musical level Deathspiral Of Inherited Suffering, Precaria and Dominus Ira prove that a fruitful cooperation between these countries is indeed possible. These three extreme underground bands have teamed up to record a splital album that deals with the concept " Theion", The divine fire that burns but never consumes. Another topic that is addressed in the texts is descending into the abyss and the subsequent resurrection that is needed to reach a state of purification that can ultimately be found in death. A truly philosophical and esoteric concept that was beautifully designed by the breathtaking cover art of Elijah Gwhedhú Tamu (Ikonostasis). Precaria kicks off the death dance with an intro and three long, complex tracks with sharp riffs that sound dark and have a certain extravaganza in them. Sometimes it appears in the " Ex abyssia"Number even as if the chords mimic a horn, giving a symphonic touch to the whole. It is also worth noting that all instruments (except for the drums) were recorded via the RecForce app from a Samsung Galaxy! Whether it be the guitar, the bass or the drums, every instrument is played by the duo Hermit ov Tehom and Opposus Discordia in an acrobatic rotation that unleashes an infernal maelstrom until at the end of " Traficando los órganos de la iglesia"The madness suddenly stops and space for ghostly ambient and female vocals. Orchestra number two is the trio Deathspiral Of Inherited Suffering that through the deep grunts of string picker Principivm Angvis is more likely to go through death metal. The three songs contain the necessary unpredictable twists and abrupt tempo changes, but the fretwork is sometimes too technical for the undersigned, although the raging " Bliss inferno / Le grand néant " does show a clever dynamic between dexterous parties and a soothing finale. " Breath of immortality"Has a symphonic start and subsequently emerges, thanks to the rhythms used, to a technical death metal song in which, in addition to a star role for the bass guitar, the sologitarist is also well catered for. The Russian Dmitry Kir, with this release assisted by session drummer Sculpto, delivers with his Dominus Ira the last three songs that are clearly cataloged as black metal but are also made up of different layers, facets and unexpected transitions. For example, " Ashes of your faith " contains, besides pale, melancholy riffs and spoken word samples, rabid parties as well. The strange duck in the bite is the rather straightforward number for this split " Eerie subterranean call"That with its tremolo picking riffs sets things up as well as the nine-minute icy shower of" ... Of coldness "- the song title hits the nail on the head - with my repetitive melancholic riffs and grumpy funeral affair, my personal highlight of the album forms. " Metamorphosphoros " is a complex structure in which especially the first two architects clearly deviate from the standard roads and explore the unconventional corners of the extreme metal genre. Ironically, the least adventurous of the three likes me the most.
JOKKE: 80/100
(Precaria: 81/100 - Deathspiral Of Inherited Suffering: 75/100 - Dominus Ira: 83/100)
What could be more logical for a group of Black Metal than to speak of the fall, abyss and purification obtained by Death itself? These elements are the main themes of the split "Metamorphosphoros", an association of 3 groups very distant geographically: Precaria (Mexico), Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering (USA) and Dominus Ira (Russia). The result of their association is a concept album around Theion, the divine fire of transformation.
First to fire: Precaria, with a great sound, even grandiloquent. The lyrics in Latin and Spanish evoke, of course, Christianity, the Latin of Mass and the Spanish of the Spanish Inquisition and the murderous inquisitors. The voice sounds, the drums are furiously fast, the hypnotic guitar riffs. The lyrics are extremely evocative, narrating a journey to the bottom of the abyss, journey of death to better reborn purified. Death, the chthonian depths, the void are the elements of salvation. "Traficando los Órganos de la Iglesia" denounces religion, the plague of humanity and calls the light of the Lord, but not the one recognized by the Vatican. The title ends with a kind of supplication sung by a beautiful female voice. For Precaria, the Great Work is La Obra Negra Deicida,
After the 4 titles of Precaria and a sound all in power, it is the turn of Deathspiral Of Inherited Suffering to set the music Theion in three pieces. The purpose is similar, therefore, with a very different style. The attack of the battery is just as fast, but we are on more clinical ground, colder. Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering eyeing Death, even though his words like those of the other two bands are clearly Black Metal. The trio sets an atmosphere with changes of rhythm, and a guitar sublimated by the reverb. The voice of Principivm Angvis is a grunt more than cavernous, perfect for a descent into the abyss. The end of "Ascend to Below", the Interlude I: "Conitor Kaosendo Somnium" loses us in an abstract metallic desert, to better make room for the power of the following title, "Bliss Inferno". On this title, two kinds of voices answer each other, a grunt and a screaming song almost clear. A very sweet interlude, "The Great Nothingness" is the link with the 3rd title, "Breath of Immortality", the shortest on the album, and the most lyrical, with his guitar solo a bit too much for my taste and his tablecloths of theatrical synths. However, DIS fulfills it's dark office without fainting in terms of violence.
Third part that perfectly highlights the two previous ones: it is the turn of Dominus Ira. Intro to "Ashes of Your Faith", bells and dissonant sounds, then a voice spoken, serious. Dominus Ira's Black Metal is a 3rd variation of its kind. Voices are tortured, hateful, raw instruments for a visceral result. As for words, they are even more accusing of a god who lets his creatures suffer. This cowardly god will be swept away by the mere presence of the being who rises from the abyss. Dominus Ira masters his art of distilling the unhealthy. No pause as with the interludes of Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering, here the changes of pace do not bring respite, they disorient, bring an adequate confusion to the advent of the being which is described. So, "... Of Coldness" is played in mid-tempo, but in a dark atmosphere that we know nothing bright can follow. The title is very complex, whether in terms of sound or emotions it arouses. It is a superb finale for the album.
The cover signed Elijah Tamu deserves a single column, as it contains symbols. The pelvic bones, the wheat, the skull open at the top, the being of fire looking at the skull and the hands that surround it ... So much that resonates for an occultist ... A rich mirror with musical wealth of this split.
This album is a technical success, and it perfectly manages to take the listener in the transformation journey announced. Black Metal knows how to renew itself, "Metamorphosphoros" is a sumptuous example.
Black Metal Daily - by ???
(https://blackmetaldaily.wordpress.com)
“Metamorphosphoros is a split album dealing with the concept of Theion, the divine fire that burns but never consumes, like the one seen by Moses in the desert when he heard the voice of YHWH. It’s also about the descent to the abyss, and the consequent ascent, in order to attain a state of purification. Something which will ultimately be achieved through death.”
So says the I, Voidhanger Records promotional blurb for ‘Metamorphosphoros’, the astounding conceptual split from Mexico’s Precaria, US duo Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering and subterranean Russians Dominus Ira. Now, regular readers may know that well-executed splits are a particular interest of mine; it’s ace of course when singular projects can create a dynamic and flowing album but when two or more artists come together forging a conceptually meshed, stylistically complementary and coherent whole, I find it especially enjoyable. As a result to say my interest level in this split was through the roof would probably be an understatement, but: released on the final hissing breath of March’s death rattle this admittedly landed in my inbox quite some time ago. I’m a bit late to the party here due to a shitty work overload, but I simply couldn’t resist giving it the well-deserved proper review treatment once I’d heard it.
Before belatedly diving in to this glorious occult tryptich I also want to quickly acknowledge one glaringly obvious thing too: that is some seriously fucking stunning artwork. Ikonostasis: Artwork of Elijah Tamu has outdone himself creating some great things for Svartidauđi, Lo-Ruhama and Panegyrist of late and he absolutely knocks it out of the park with an intricate and affecting piece drenched in mysticism and dark symbolism. I know some have given this a chance simply based on the cover alone, so the big question is: does the music itself stack up? Well as the old adage goes… Let’s find out!
Opening this ambitious rite in explosive fashion are Mexican duo Precaria. Something absolutely incredible straight off the bat is the fact that beside the drums, these three opening tracks were supposedly recorded and produced entirely on a phone. Yes, a Samsung Galaxy. Listening to the flames, layers of guitar and building vocals of introductory piece ‘Ritus Primordiales’ as they begin to weave the necessary atmosphere, that fact seems totally unbelievable. Full kudos to main man Hermit Of Tehom for pulling it off in such convincing fashion because when first proper track ‘Ex Abyssia’ kicks in, the whole thing sounds absolutely monstrous with just the right mix of obscurity and power hitting you square in the face as the scorching drums provided by session/live man Opposus Discordia give the impression your skin will be flayed off any second. The fury and fire is unrelenting as the track traverses its intricate, mystical forms; the riffs and compositional twists seemingly designed to carve magic into the very air. All this gets even better with ‘Traficando los Órganos de la Iglesia’ as the intensity and spiritual melodicism reaches an almost biblical magnitude before eventually collapsing into a haunting ambient passage, replete with sorrowful and dramatic female vocals. It’s a lovely moment of respite, but alas, one that does not last; these men do not want you to catch your breath as the frenzied first bars of ‘La Obra Negra Deicidia’ remind you that the ritual is far from complete. Another ripper track, its hypnotic waves of surging fury and roared sermons form the perfect parting shot of Precaria‘s intense opening salvo.
If Precaria were spreading the thematic message by way of an almost delirious religious fervour, then the Cult of DIS take it upon themselves to carry the torch with orthodox bile and black death infused venomous devastation. Rather fittingly seeing as the moniker Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering apparently intended as “an honest, although admittedly cynical, description of what life fundamentally is“, you can taste the disdain and wretchedness dripping from every pore of their sound. Low death growls, riffs that somehow encapsulate nihilistic brutality and esotericism all in one; this is some great stuff.
Despite their obvious talent for bludgeoning at disorienting speed they also aren’t scared of slowing down either, as the languid and soulful second half of ‘Bliss Inferno / Le Grand Néant’ attests with its dulcet tones. The break almost serves as the album’s centrepiece, calming and providing necessary contrast before what I opine is their greatest contribution, ‘Breath of Immortality’, arrives in menacing fashion. You can definitely hear their influences coursing through the veins of this track but they rise to something much greater; the sinister alchemy and satanic majesty is wonderfully done and there’s a perfectly balanced occult grandiosity to it all. Easily my pick of their three compositions and to top it off, it culminates in the lyrical expression of the very title of the split:
“To wield the knife of non
To carve my name into the heart of God
I breathe, not to inhale life
But to exhale death unto eternal night
Create to negate profanation
Liberation, in the name of…
METAMORPHOSPHOROS.”
And finally, reciting the last words to seal the incantation is Dominus Ira. A one man Russian act who has been at it since 2004, this project’s stock and trade is cold, misanthropic second-wave-worshipping euphoria. Beginning well with ‘Ashes of Your Faith’ and progressing into the all-destroying profane fury of ‘Eerie Subterranean Call’, he may even wield the most potent weapon of all three artists. There’s a lot of variety in the mode of attack on this three-pronged trident of a split but this man in particular goes straight for the darkness, summoning it effortlessly through unhallowed halls, howling from the desolate winter winds. Final rite ‘…Of Coldness’ is nothing less than a knife to the heart, a celebration of decay, dreams, misery and transformation. This IS the conceptual death. I could listen to it for hours and couldn’t think of a better track to close out proceedings.
All in all, ‘Metamorphosphoros’ is a marvelous journey and a mesmerising performance of the dark arts from three very different artists executing parts of a conceptual whole from their own unique viewpoints almost flawlessly. Does it break new ground? Not really. Does it do what it does aim to achieve well? Yes. Sadly, it probably won’t end up getting the attention it deserves because of the first of those questions, but you can certainly give it all of yours regardless. They’ll all be getting much more of mine when I check out the rest of their respective discographies.
Excellent work. Hails.
Echoes Zine - by Bhut
(http://www.echoes-zine.cz)
Although I do not like the split albums very much ... but I have written it so many times that it does not make sense to distract it. I was just interested in this work because of the publisher, who is covering a wide range of interesting concepts on the black scene. This split album is so typical of Stage I, Voidhanger and represents the clear character and philosophy of their direction. We have a clearly defined marginal genre, a perfect graphic work (the author of the title is Elijah Gwhedhú Tamu aka Ikonostasis) and a very good quality. In fact, I actually revealed that this split is a really good piece.
Although I'm writing at the beginning, three bands brought a trio of tracks to the collection, but the leading Precaria band (perhaps the main creator of this record) cut a small intro. I say a small one, because the footage will fit within two minutes, with full preview, while all the other tracks will not fall below six minutes (except for one that would be ten seconds longer or longer than six minutes). This is freely linked to the fact that the album is over an hour long, which in a given musical event can be perceived as a difficult move. However, thanks to the subtle variety of bands, you are always intrigued by the new act with a fresh look and a different structure, a different approach. In short, there is a certain difference between all the bands here, although it combines a number of aspects.
Musically, we are talking about an occult balloon with great affection for quick treatise. The recording incredibly squeezes and presses on the saw what the strength is enough for her. There are more loose passages, but we do not consider it as a possible release, but as a more arduous form. It is a good idea to admit that at certain moments there is a fear. Sounds are all based on pretty raw and sharp paintings. The room for gentleness is simply not, or should not be. I'm not afraid to say that the record is bad and uncompromising. It sounds like bloody kydy, which can be heard on a number of new recordings. Here, these concepts take on real dimensions and when listening to you, it is not a scream to the void. (No plastic Dimmu Borgir or Behemoth festival hopsanda). The hateful energy and the orthodox chaotic range of consciousness flow completely freely but naturally. I definitely do not feel that something is forced that this guitar sounds too eccentric, just to sound like that. I just do not feel it, though I understand that not everyone can bring something interesting. I love this style of the ball and I am from Metamorphosphoros enthusiastic.
It is hard to describe which band sounds better on the split, which distinguishes their styles. I do not see it as a fine coin. I'm trying to absorb the album as a whole and experience it bit by bit, no matter who's holding the guitar in my hand. I can understand that there was no rivalry either. The purpose was to unite in one thought and to inspire the atmosphere to one common goal of this esoteric group of compositions. Do not look for progressive and technical jerks, do not look for catchy melodies or other distinctive motifs that you will recognize in a few seconds. This is a massive work from beginning to end. It's a stream of out-of-the-way acts, and I can personally say that the album was very helpful to me. The saddle was perfectly in the mood and its atmosphere spread so comprehensively around the neighborhood that I did not understand anything. A certain form of trance? Maybe yes.
VERDIKT: The Triumvirate of the bands who have agreed to create a mystical work. The resulting impression is very intense and places this split between the leading representatives of the occult ball.
The signs of the three are interwoven with the world as a plague. This symbolism can be found in many spiritual spheres and other philosophical and humorous arrangements. This time, we will also touch the famous number three through the three bands that have gone down with their three songs. The album Metamorphosphoros , which hosts artists from Mexico, the United States and Russia, namely Precaria, Deathspiral Of Inherited Suffering and Dominus Ira, was created. The whole collection was attended by the publishing house I, Voidhanger, which carries on its back several black / death metal jewels.
85/100
Encyclopaedia Metallum - by Cosmic Mistery
(http://www.metal-archives.com)
Metamorphosphoros is a 3-way split album comprised of Precaria, Dominus Ira and Deathspiral OF Inherited Suffering which was released on the Italian label, I, Voidhanger Records. What we have here is an enticing combination of black/death metal, black metal and death metal.
Immediately after the intro "Ritus Primordiales", Precaria launches its fiery attack of blast beats, mesmerizing tremolo picking and unpredictable alterations in rhythm and rough vocals. The guitars on "Ex Abyssia" remind me much of the kind you hear would hear on a Dark Funeral album. The track is just over 9 minutes long and has various changes in beat and rhythm. It is my second favorite track on the Precaria side of the split due to its catchy chorus;
"Ex abyssia, profunda atrissima...
The descension to the Abyss is the ascension to Divinity.
Ex abyssia, mors atrissima...
The purge of the Spirit is attainable through Death".
The best track on Precaria's part happens to be "Traficando los Órganos de la Iglesia" which translates to "Trafficking the Bodies of the Church"; if that's not a black metal enough song title, then I don't know what is. This track is technical at times, has a haunting choir in the background and features well-timed melodies and blast beats. It paints a very grim landscape and has a very hypnotic vibe going for it; even amongst the technical passages.
Every song on Precaria's side has its own identity but still carries a coherent overall feeling and atmosphere. It never strays away from the mission, it keeps the listener interested; with it's mid-tempo drumming, beautiful melodic landscapes and grating vocals. Precaria perfectly sets the tone which is not taken for granted by the following bands.
In comes the black/death metal like a raging bull; it spears the listener unforgivingly and pins the body into the ground with brute force. "Ascent To Below" is a solid continuation from where Precaria left off. The track is painted with fierce vocals from Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering's vocalist Principivm Angvis; who delivers a staggering performance vocally and instrumentally (guitars and bass). This track arguably the best from their side of the split. "Breath of Immortality" brings to attention the drumming capabilities of Manus Væcord. His lust for speed is there; his timing and ability to vary his speed without disrupting the momentum is unblemished and does justice to K Ø V R M's and Principivm Angvis impressive shredding.
Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering brought their brand of obscenity to the unholy gathering; they aided in the progression of the evil from track to track and built on an already stellar foundation set by Precaria. This American band has surely demonstrated the competency required to play black/death metal; they have placed themselves on the map by contributing to "Metamorphosphoros". I look forward to hearing more from this band; as also Precaria.
Dominus Ira is a one-man black metal project governed by Dmitry Kir whom is based out of Russia. What can be said about his method of bringing closure to this fantastic body of work? For a start, I can say with 100% assurance that he doesn't falter; up until the last track.
"Ashes of Your Faith" begins with the crack of a church bell followed by a depressive guitar and drumm combination. I will admit; I was worried once I heard the "dsbm" influence, however, that quickly changed from something mournful to something radiantly aggressive on this track.
The depressive/suicidal/black metal sound in which I have a strong aversion to, reemerges on the closing track "...Of Coldness", in which I am disappointed with. The lyrics on the track reflects despair and pessimism. Even if the lyrics were of that nature I really would have preferred the instrumentation and vocals to be aggressive, not depressive. However, given my admiration for the previous tracks from Dominus Ira; ..."Of Coldness" does little damage in comparison to my worries. It only applied minor scratches to the surface of the object that was carefully put together by the 9 prior tracks. Given the vast majority of the album being overly aggressive, the closing track deserved that final touch of steel and not tears.
Overall each band has distributed a piece of work that encompasses what black metal is about. "Metamorphosphoros" is an album which should give enough exposure to the bands involved (Precaria, Deathspiral OF Inherited Suffering and Dominus Ira). The cover painting and sigil by Elijah Tamu / Ikonostasis is very attractive and professionally done; it surely does well to capture the interest of the viewer and listener. "Metamorphosphoros" needs to be heard and I encourage those aware of its existence to give it some of your attention. I am sure due to its musical variation; it has something to offer everyone within the black metal genre.
90/100
Head-Banger Reviews - by Vinterd
(headbangerreviews.wordpress.com/)
The appeal of a split is not lost on me in any capacity. It can bring together two great bands for a monumental listen the likes of which we only could’ve hoped to see live before that. Splits tend to bring together similar acts with similar styles that allow the groups in question to really show off their strengths as well as show cooperation with other bands. Three-way splits don’t happen often but in the case of “Metamorphosphoros”, I couldn’t ask for better bands to contribute. The resulting experience is one marred by death and destruction but also a macabre sense of wonder.
Bringing together the combined talents all across the globe from Mexico to the USA to Russia, “Metamorphosphoros” is a 60+ minute onslaught of a special breed of terror the likes of which we don’t often see with splits. But there’s another fascinating factor that goes into these ten tracks as these three bands contribute to an overall arching story that’s truly special: the concept of Theion, the ever-burning fire that strangely never consumes. The descent into madness and its residual abyss, the quest to attain purification, and the ascension to something greater than the base human existence. All this culminates in the ultimate goal: death which, unlike Theion, consumes all that there is and can be. Such a story is daunting to just conceptualize, but the combined efforts of Precaria, Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering, and Dominus Ira make “Metamorphosphoros” the marvel that it became.
After ripping yourself from that beautifully occult art that the split sports with pride, you’re immediately thrown into a vortex of flame and bone by Precaria who dominates the listener’s very psyche. The Mexican trio shows off their power through brutal riffs and complex instrumentation the likes of which will draw many obscure black fans from all around as Precaira feels very classic yet rooted in a modern sense of occultism that brings a special flair to their four tracks presented here. Serving as the middle chapter in our grand journey, Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering follows a formula akin to that of Precaria’s, but these Americans take on a death metal format to bring a special flavor of destruction straight from the void itself. With brilliant musicianship on full display and a magnificently entrancing use of ambiance, Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering leaves one fucking hell of an impression, to say the least. Dominus Ira wraps up “Metamorphosphoros” with a majestic helping of black metal that allows us to drift into the black realm of death with not only grace but with a wide smile as we embrace the cold. This Russian act brings to the table black metal that’s very fitting for such an eventful finish, and to say that it’s a perfect ending to a grand split would be an understatement.
This day, I’ve discovered three new great and promising bands that both show yet again that death and black metal have unexplored territories that are ripe for plundering! In every form, “Metamorphosphoros” is a tremendous effort that shows the talents behind all three of these groups that have more than earned the attention of many! Whether it be Precaria’s unrelenting fury, Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering’s haunting sense of mystery, or Dominus Ira’s icy majesty that draws you in, “Metamorphosphoros” is a split that’s destined to become a favorite of many.
Indy Metal Vault - by Clayton T. Michaels
(http://www.indymetalvault.com)
So here’s something that doesn’t happen every day…
If you’re a loyal Vault Hunter, you know that whenever we do a premiere we like to try to include words from the artist. It’s not unusual for bands to decline when we ask – some don’t have that much to say, others prefer to let their music speak for itself. When we asked Ianzel–who handles guitars, vocals, lyrics, composition, bass, and arrangements for Monterrey, Mexico-based Precaria— if he’d like to contribute something to this piece, however, it turned out the he had a lot to say about both “Ex Abyssia,” the track we’re premiering today at the Vault, and Metamorphosphoros, the three-way split with American band Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering and Russia’s Dominus Ira on which it appears. So much so, in fact, that I’m inclined to just get out of the way and let him take over…
First, though, a bit about the theme that runs through Metamorphosphoros. The split focuses on the idea of Theion, which any Vault Hunter who survived a Catholic education like I did will recognize as the Greek name for the divine fire that burned but did not consume the bush from which the voice of God spoke to Moses in the book of Exodus. Each band approaches the theme differently, but I’ll let Ianzel fill everyone in on that.
Metamorphosphoros will be available from I, Voidhanger Records on March 30, and can be preordered both digitally and on CD here. Until then, enjoy our exclusive stream of “Ex Abyssia” and check out what Ianzel had to say about it below.
Metamorphosphoros is a conceptual split album that embraces the visions of three bands in their journey through dark spiritual paths. Precaria deals with the concept of attaining purification through death while being prepared to face the abyss and leaving all human traits behind, as clearly stated in the lyrics of the colossal track “Ex Abyssia,” attacking with firm conviction the flawed state of humanity and of creation itself. Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering present themes ranging from the esoteric to the nihilistic to the theological, which adds a dense charge of mysticism to the split. Dominus Ira describes visions of destruction, death, and morbidity through the lyrics in a more traditional black metal approach.
This split as a whole offers a multifaceted range of musical styles and lyrical subjects that can appease fans of every black metal style. Precaria will appeal to fans of brutal black metal with loads of atmosphere, Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering will appeal to fans of ferocious black/death metal, and Dominus Ira is for fans of second wave cold and traditional black metal – this split has it all.
In this premiere, we present Precaria’s track “Ex Abyssia,” which is a composition that was started in 2012 and finished in 2017, perfectly mixing the old, chaotic style of Precaria with their newer brutal approach. As incredible as it seems, the instruments and vocals were recorded with a mobile device and later mixed with the drums, which were the only element recorded in a studio due to the special need of multi-track recording for drums. There are layers of guitars that do different melodic lines, and a bass which shines in various parts of Hermit ov Tehom’s composition, as well as short moments of weird sounds that enhance the atmosphere of certain sections done with a keyboard by Nykteia. The drumming is fast paced most of the time, but there are some rhythmic parts that let you take a breath from time to time executed by Opposus. The last part of the song has an atmospheric arpeggio, in which the bass plays interestingly with the notes and the vocals switch from English to Spanish and Latin. This is a unique work by a band that was born in Mexico, a place where everything is economically ten times harder than we are used to, from producing to renting studio hours and even paying the rehearsal room, but it was worth the wait.
Metamorphosphoros features an outstanding painting and sigil done by the virtuous artist Ikonostasis (Elijah Tamu), and in the inlays we can find the lyrics and additional artworks for each band. This gem will be released on March 30 by the dedicated italian label I, Voidhanger Records.
Lords of Metal - by William Kampen
I am a big fan of the 90s black metal scene, which is no secret. A part of that scene was the relatively often releases of split albums. Every now and then you will still bump into a split release, but not as much as back in the days. Receiving one obviously made me excited. In this case, a joint effort by the Mexican Precaria, the American Deathspiral Of Inherited Suffering and the Russian Dominus Ira.
Precaria has an obvious focus on the Swedish black/death metal sound. Lots of dissonance, high tremolo picking and machine gun as a drummer. In about half an hour, this band is not able to convince me. The tracks are stuffed with way too much stuff, which causes my brain to boil. Maybe coked out 'Panzer Division Marduk' fans will like this but to me, atmosphere is key.
Deathspiral Of Inherited Suffering (what a name..) also plays a variety of black/death metal, where the focus lies more on occult death metal. You know, Incantation, Grave Miasma and such. But way more boring. It is a nice trick that this band is executing, but as soon as I am not able to come up with a reason to not play the above mentioned bands instead; this contribution is not really worth talking about. Unless you are the typical death metal hick loving everything with a growl. Then it might.
Let us hope that the Russians of Dominus Ira are able to save this record. I mean, Russia has quite a lot of awesome black metal. Good news and bad news. Dominus Ira's contribution is the best part of this record. That was the good part. The bad part is, is that this means very little on this boring record. We are presented to a Norwegian style of black metal, with all of the inspiration stripped away. There is not a single second where this record gets exciting or memorable. The problem of this disc in its entirety. Whether I play it again, or frisbee it out of my window: It does not matter.
Precaria has an obvious focus on the Swedish black/death metal sound. Lots of dissonance, high tremolo picking and machine gun as a drummer. In about half an hour, this band is not able to convince me. The tracks are stuffed with way too much stuff, which causes my brain to boil. Maybe coked out 'Panzer Division Marduk' fans will like this but to me, atmosphere is key.
Deathspiral Of Inherited Suffering (what a name..) also plays a variety of black/death metal, where the focus lies more on occult death metal. You know, Incantation, Grave Miasma and such. But way more boring. It is a nice trick that this band is executing, but as soon as I am not able to come up with a reason to not play the above mentioned bands instead; this contribution is not really worth talking about. Unless you are the typical death metal hick loving everything with a growl. Then it might.
Let us hope that the Russians of Dominus Ira are able to save this record. I mean, Russia has quite a lot of awesome black metal. Good news and bad news. Dominus Ira's contribution is the best part of this record. That was the good part. The bad part is, is that this means very little on this boring record. We are presented to a Norwegian style of black metal, with all of the inspiration stripped away. There is not a single second where this record gets exciting or memorable. The problem of this disc in its entirety. Whether I play it again, or frisbee it out of my window: It does not matter.
5/10
Metal Under - by Alexander Welt
(https://cyberhoods.wixsite.com/magazine)
Qué tal todos... hoy toca el turno de hablar de un split álbum que comparten tres
bandas de diferentes países pero que a su vez interconexionan en un mismo plano para
manifestar su arte conceptual que trata de temas espirituales ocultos, un viaje al Abismo,
un sacrificio de la carne y una inmolación del ser con los fuegos de la transformación
divina (Theion) para descender, ascender y trascender Eternamente a través de la
muerte al vacío final. Cada una de las tres bandas presenta su enfoque personal en
forma de arte de black metal oscuro y catártico de alta calidad.
A continuación les voy a relatar un poco de lo que podemos apreciar en esta visión compartida entre estas tres bandas, pero no sin antes mencionar algunos aspectos relevantes de cada una sólo para aquellos que no están familiarizados con estas entidades, pero antes de eso les quiero hacer mención de que METAMORPHOSPHOROS se lanzó el pasado 30 de marzo a través del sello italiano "I Voidhanger Records", limitado a 500 copias, y su portada fue un diseño del pintor estadounidense Elijah Tamu y este mismo artwork será incluido en el libro Arte Arcana que está próximo a ser publicado en el mes de junio y donde también se verán trabajos de otros pintores de la talla de Benjamín Vierling y Daniele Valeriani. También es bueno mencionar que el título de este Split METAMORPHOSPHOROS es una fusión entre Metamorfosis y Fósforos, el fuego alquímico (en griego) que es relevante a la transformación del alma por medio del fuego oculto que arde dentro de nosotros, y ese fuego recibe el nombre específicamente de Theion.
En primera instancia tenemos a Precaria, una banda procedente del Estado de Nuevo León México, su fundador y frontman Hermit Ov Tehom es el encargado de la realización de todos los temas de Precaria que se incluyen en este Split. Precaria comenzó actividades en el año 2010 y fue concebida por su fundador como un arma espiritual letal, emanada en forma de arte negro, musicalmente denominado black metal, para expresar su necesidad personal de manifestar odio y sentimientos podridos que le envenenaban la mente y el alma. En un sentido metafórico espiritual se refiere a la carencia del ser humano de obtener todo lo que jamás tendrá, y a esto estará condenado hasta que decida romper su percepción materialista y su enfoque en la realidad terrenal donde vivimos, de esa eterna precariedad le dio el nombre a la banda. Temas del Split: 01. Precaria - Ritus Primordiales 02. Precaria - Ex Abyssia 03.- Precaria - Traficando los Órganos de la Iglesia 04. Precaria - La Obra Negra Deicida
Después tenemos a una banda estadounidense llamada Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering, que también se inició en el año 2010 y como su nombre lo dice representa el espiral de muerte del sufrimiento heredado por la misma naturaleza del ser humano. Una banda más canalizada en el Death metal ennegrecido en su musicalidad pero perfectamente equi l ibrado entre la absoluta brutalidad y matices estructurales sombríos y abismales. Cabe señalar que ésta vendría siendo la primera producción realizada y editada de la banda y qué sirve como Debut y antesala de lo que podría ser el inicio de una carrera prometedora. Ac tualmente se encuentran produciendo su primer larga duración. Temas del Split: 05. Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering - Ascend to Below 06.-Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering - Bliss Inferno / Le Grand Néant 07. Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering - Breath of Immortality.
Nos encontramos con otra banda llamada Dominus Ira, proveniente de Rusia, y proyecto de un solo integrante (Dmitry Kir) que se inició en el 2004 Se refiere del latín al Maestro/Señor de la Ira, Estos comparten un black metal más tradicional, en ciertos pasajes con tintes melancólicos, una atmósfera fría y melodías majestuosas que no paran de enriquecer sus tres temas cargados de misticismo y oscuridad. Temas del Split: 08. Dominus Ira - Ashes of Your Faith 09. Dominus Ira - Eerie Subterranean Call 10. Dominus Ira - ...of Coldness
Pues bien, ahora vamos a sumergirnos en el Abismo sin retorno para relatar un poco del contenido de esta obra de metal negro ortodoxo. El Split abre con el intro Ritus Primordiales, en donde Precaria da inicio con una oración de apertura en latín con forma para comenzar a descender hacia las sombras. En el segundo tema titulado Ex Abyssia, un tema de 9 minutos de completo caos delirante, dónde Precaria hace gala de esa rapidez descomunal perfectamente fusionada a melodias inquietantes con partes disonantes y atmósfera abrasiva que enciende el alma con todos esos riffs fusionados para la inmolación del cuerpo (y de esto mismo se refiere) a la descomposición de la carne para dar paso al supremo vacío de la muerte y la purificación del alma con Theion en auto inmolación, abrazado por los fuegos de la transformación, la precariedad espiritual de la raza humana antes mencionada y él inmundo rechazo hacia ésta misma y hacia la maldita religión. Tenemos una lírica profundamente inspirada en temas meramente espirituales y aspectos nihilistas, mezclando el latín, el inglés y el español eficazmente dándole un toque sumamente Omniversal, con unas vociferaciones de Hermit Ov Tehom tan endemoniadamente bestiales como si recién sal iera del Abismo. Después pasamos al tercer tema titulado Traficando los órganos de la iglesia, que al igual que Ex Abyssia abre con esa ferocidad delirante y una disonancia que no da cabida al respiro, la melodía y la atmósfera son absolutamente desquiciantes y en cuanto a las letras como se puede ver son letras blasfemas y de absoluto rechazo a la iglesia y a todos sus falsos dioses, un tema apabullante hasta el último segundo donde cierra con unos misticos cantos eclesiasticos femeninos y una aclamación gutural de las palabras en latín veni, veni, Dominus, Dominus Lux Ferre qué exhortan la llegada del Maestro Lucifer, para después cerrar su participación con el tema titulado La Obra Negra Deicida, que es un tema extraído de su demo llamado Precaria, y que está plagado de Furia y rapidez con cambios de ritmo fantásticos que van de la auténtica devastación a partes más melódicas y unos riffs destructores, denotando una vez más por medio de este tema su absoluto rechazo hacia la humanidad y a sus ídolos creados. Un tema totalmente Anti-Religión y de absoluta promulgación de muerte al falso Dios.
De esta manera damos paso a Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering con su primer tema titulado Ascend to Below y aquí nos adentramos en terrenos más brutales y asfixiantes con casi 7 minutos del más puro y bestial Death Metal ennegrecido, riffs poderosos y arpegios brutales que cambian de ritmo y un interludio demencial que abre paso a la parte extasiante del tema con esa melodía flotando por encima de una base densa y latente, con unos cánticos referentes a la muerte, el descender, ascender y trascender el espíritu para la transformación A continuación nos presenta el tema Bliss Inferno, un tema que nos adentra en pasajes más lentos y sombríos en su estructura, fusionados con el caos sepulcral y la brutalidad ya establecida, el tema se refiere a encontrar la libertad a través de la muerte y por lo tanto la libertad de la vida, un tema exquisito en cuestión de composición y arreglos, incluyendo un outro llamado Le Grand Néant y terminan su participación en este split con el tema Breath of Immortality, otro tema de paramos lentos y artesanales con la inclusión de un teclado sutil para dar esa atmósfera Misteriosa y después dar paso a la devastación y al Death metal más bestial y oscuro de los tres temas aquí presentados, en cuanto a sus letras nos habla más de la entropía del caos y la muerte, la metamorfosis a través de la gnosis de Theion, un tema que nos transporta irremediablemente al vacío eterno de la muerte acausal. Y así proseguimos con la última de las tres bandas aquí manifestadas, la cual lleva por nombre Dominus Ira, que Inicia con el tema titulado Ashes of your Faith, y aquí nos topamos cómo lo había mencionado con un metal negro más tradicional que se desarrolla con riffs más crudos y una atmósfera fría y melancólica que también es reflejada en lo angustiante de sus letras que transmiten una especie de dolor y desesperanza causada por la muerte de la fe y la devoción, abriendo paso hacia otro tema titulado Eerie Subterranean Call, uno de los temas más Raw que nos comparten en esta división de bandas, riffs atmosféricos y cierta crudeza envolvente y esa voz tan infernal que refleja el caos, el reinado de la muerte total y la caída de Dios y de ángeles envueltos en el fuego más negro, dando paso al último tema de esta banda y de este split que lleva por título Of Coldness, el tema más largo y más pasivo con un ritmo lento y un arpegio angustiante que refleja una frialdad eterna de sus letras que evocan a la muerte imperante sobre los mundos insoldables de la oscuridad. Y de este modo finaliza esta entrega y está visión catártica y oscura por parte de estas tres bandas que sin duda nos han entregado lo mejor de su arte negro en sus composiciones conceptuales acerca de este plano espiritual y en total evocación a la muerte. Un split que recomiendo ampliamente y que no se debe dejar pasar por su alta calidad compositiva y por su alto contenido ecléctico que hacen de ello una combinación nueva y única. E.K.S.A!!!
No Clean Singing - by Islander
(http://www.nocleansinging.com)
Metamorphosphoros is one of those rare splits in which the participating bands collaborated in the creation of a conceptually integrated sequence of songs, in this case a musical vision that’s devoted to “Theion“, the divine fires of transformation — the medium for a purifying immolation of the self, bringing about a Descent into the abyss, and an Ascent and eternal Transcendence through Death.
The participants in this album-length cathartic experience are three underground black metal bands from different countries: Precaria (Mexico), Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering (U.S.), and Dominus Ira (Russia). The album will be released by the distinctive I, Voidhanger Records on March 30, and today we’re fortunate to host the premiere of one of the album’s ten tracks — an offering by Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering (“DIS“) entitled “Bliss Inferno / Le Grand Néant“.
Metamorphosphoros includes three tracks by DIS, a band based in Memphis, Tennessee that was first formed in 2009. In the sequence of the album, those tracks follow the four songs by Precaria that start the album, and they precede the three tracks by Dominus Ira that end it.
By the time listeners reach the music of DIS, they will already have been consumed by the fires of Precaria. Precaria’s tracks manifest the concept of Theion in breathtaking fashion, through roaring storms of violent power and mind-bending speed and complexity.
Precaria’s music is a dense and wholly enveloping experience, propelled by stunningly furious drumming, blazingly fast and acrobatically nimble bass performances, and an extravaganza of wild, brain-warping guitar contortions. The music is exultant, and delirious, with a panoramic sweep, and staggering displays of gale-force ferocity.
The heaving and blaring chords resemble the massed power and ominous grandeur of a symphonic horn section; the melodies are discordant and deranged; the lead guitar is both frighteningly fast and completely unhinged, darting like a demon and whirling like a dervish in a mad dance; the vocals are no less frightening and fiery. And at well-chosen moments, the hurricanes of sound diminish, making way for eerie ambient passages and even angelic female vocals.
It would be a risky endeavor for any band to have to follow 25 minutes of Precaria’s utterly riveting and mentally destabilizing assaults, but DIS don’t shy away from the task. They meet it head-on with three tracks of equally decimating power and head-twisting, disorienting impact.
As in the case of Precaria’s tracks, those of DIS are often terrifically fast, and they also twist and turn in unpredictable directions, the fretwork flashing and leaping like demons cavorting in the fires of Hell. But the band also slow the pacing, delivering fearsome visions at a staggering pace, sometimes with searing solo guitar work or sweeping waves of spectral sound above the massive, lurching low-end weight.
The songs also end in surprising ways, with an atmospheric interlude of paranormal ambient electronic music at the end of the first one; an unexpected guitar duet to conclude the second; and the mournful sounds of strings to end the third.
DIS incorporate elements of death metal as well, most noticeably in the voracious growls of Principivm Angvis (who is also the band’s lead guitarist and bassist), and in some of the more massive, doom-shrouded riffs. And they add to the atmosphere of occult mystery and infernal majesty that surrounds the songs with shimmers and swirls of eerie melody.
The song we’re premiering today, “Bliss Inferno“, is a striking example of these achievements. And the band could hardly have chosen a more perfect title for the song, a title that could just as easily have been used for this album as a whole. The music sounds immense, and the chiming, dissonant notes together with the stately, booming cadence of the pacing give the song a majestic solemnity, as well as an air of looming malignancy, the sense of a sinister power poised to deliver an obliterating strike.
And the band themselves also deliver the strike, exploding in storms of blasting percussion, frenzied riffing, and enormous pulsating tones in the low end. DIS also add to the atmosphere of esoteric transformation with freakish spirals of guitar melody and other effusions of intricate fretwork. In addition, the conclusion of the song provides the further surprise mentioned above — an interlude called “Le Grand Néant” that’s an entrancing yet dark, distorted, and disturbing guitar duet, which has a bit of a flamenco flavor.
Perhaps needless to say, if DIS had their work cut out for them following Precaria, Dominus Ira (the solo project of Dmitry Kir, with session drums by Sculpto) have an even more difficult task following both Precaria and DIS. But they too rise to the challenge. Their three songs display a level of intricacy, unorthodox creativity, and fierce passion that rival those of their partners on this split.
At times slow and majestic, and at other times feverish and frenetic, the music is persistently powerful and persistently disturbing. An atmosphere of pitch-black darkness pervades the songs throughout all of their manifold changes of course — and the songs do change course abruptly, with sharp variations in tempo, rhythm, and mood. To a greater extent than the other two bands, Dominus Ira also unveil cascades of beautiful (albeit deeply melancholy) melody to go along with episodes of pure lunacy and blood-freezing fury.
Like the first two bands, this one displays impressive technical skill and hair-raising vocal barbarism and agony, and Dominus Ira also displays a knack for layering the music with a rich array of unexpected and often off-balancing sonic textures. Moreover, the juxtaposition of the shattering hurricane of insanity that feeds into the end of their second track, “Eerie Subterranean Call”, against the heart-rending funereal dirge that makes up the first half of the album’s final track, “…Of Coldness”, is one of the record’s high points.
Metamorphosphoros is, in short, a masterful creation by three black metal bands who clearly don’t feel hemmed in by convention, and whose unbounded creativity is matched by their compositional intricacy and their jaw-dropping technical skill. The album as a whole is wonderfully multi-faceted, emotionally provocative, and transfixing from beginning to end. It stands as an immersive work of dark and cathartic black metal art that will be difficult for anyone else to match this year.
A work of such rare esoteric power demanded equally striking artwork, and received it, thanks to the talents of Elijah Tamu (Panegyrist), who created the memorable cover image and the sigil for the album.
I hope you enjoy the one track from the album that we’re premiering today — and trust me, as good as “Bliss Inferno” is, it’s just the tip of a magnificent iceberg.
Pasifagresif - by Guest Author
(http://www.pasifagresif.com)
What I like most about split albums is that I can discover brand new bands and discover strange songs. Though I think that's the ultimate goal of the split, the bands can get recognition with a few striking songs they can not present as an album. I made such an introduction because I knew through three different groups, "Metamorphosphoros", that I did not know much about underground stuff. I am pleased with the overall production because I have not started the album with great expectations, and I am starting to explain why.
Precaria from Mexico, Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering from the United States, Dominus Ira from Russia, black metal occult and indeed representatives of the dirty side. In short, after the various stages, the spiritual / devilish transformation is all three groups for the "Metamorphosphoros", in which the concept of coming beyond human beings is defined as a concept. The teams are working in a variety of sources for the concept album, but I can not go ahead without telling Precaria, who does the hardest job in my opinion, to escape the slightest ease before I start praising the groups / songs. Because the other two groups have contributed to the album with brand new songs, Precaria has taken two of its four tracks from previous recordings and positioned it on the split. I used to sit around and turn and turn and listen to the previous records to make comparisons;
As with almost every band I've ever heard that Mexican bands do not have jokes in their work, Precaria is more open to the album. The "Ex Abyssia" group, which started after the folly of "Primitive Ayin" which opened the album, proves with seriousness that the lyrics of this song have been read seriously and that there is no joke:
"Dominus inversus, sic transit mors ego.
Laudate creatio, laudate interitus.
Aqua - Terra - Ignis - Aura "
A kind of saturation is achieved at the beginning and the album is reached within seconds of satirizing the pleasures. The band is making harsh vocals and plenty of excavated black metal; it also reveals it with its comprehensive and extreme brutal compositions. The fact that "Ex Abyssia" and other Precaria artworks, which can be counted as the heavyweight of the album, are in constant change, shows great compatibility with the words mentioned. If the lyrics are up to two word pages long, Latin, English, Spanish, the songs that are already allotted make it scary. The inner vocals of the vocals, the riffs between the pessimism and the frightening, the drums trying to reach the blast beat without slowing, the listeners in each of the trumpets, it significantly increases the albinism of the pieces. As I said, although the two songs belong to the old productions, they are still in concept and they do not prevent Precaria from having a hell of wind.
If Precaria successfully performs the task and leaves the scene to the Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering, the anthem of vocals and instrumentation is on the head of Morbid Angel / Behemoth, and musical points emerge from the Nightbringer. Although I can not say anything to the musician, I can not say that the music presented is very enthusiastic and innovative, perhaps due to the special preparation of the concept. It is hard to say at the very least that the pieces made by the team with this very long name are striking, at least after the Mexican folks have turned the animal into a slapstick with four animals.
The three works ending "Metamorphosphoros" are signed by Dominus Ira. Dominus Ira, who is the complementary to the concept by playing the old head black metal, is trying to pull the upsidedness of the production upwards and distribute a bit of the choking air created by the very long-named band, without trying to be a brilliant creature, The single-seated formation, which features sharp and 90's tunes with rifles, allows you to enjoy the coolness of Tambov's city, which is at -4 degrees Celsius, during your critical time.
If I try to express the experience that Split might live with you, though, if you are curious about the genre, you should do it yourself, at least listen to Precaria and Dominus Ira. The "Metamorphosphoros" black metal enthusiast, who has no bad names, will not disappoint music lovers, and the ones farther from the genre will be able to connect with at least the first few tracks.
7.5/10
Wonderbox Metal - by Wonderbox Metal
(http://www.wonderboxmetal.com)
This is a split between three black metal bands, Precaria from Mexico, Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering from the US, and Dominus Ira from Russia.
This is a split based around a single concept, (the concept of Theion, the divine fire that burns but never consumes), with each band contributing their individual vision of occult black metal to the overarching whole. A lot of time and effort has obviously gone into this release, which is reflected in the lengthy playing time of 68 minutes.
We start with Precaria and their part which consists of 25 minutes of esoteric black metal that’s furiously delivered with the passion of the zealot.
Largely fast and furious, and with a malevolent grandeur running through it, the music twists and turns through the playing time. Fiery blast beats war with heated sermons for the prevalent focal point, with subtle keyboards adding extra depth in the background, seeming to lurk behind the barbed facade of the guitars, the pounding drums, and the pulpit of the singer. These keyboards shouldn’t be discounted, however, and have a serious presence in certain parts of the songs, leading to some impressive atmosphere being created.
The chanted vocals of the singer are one of the more striking features of this band, but they also have some quality melodies wrapped around their vicious rhythm guitars. The latter may be more low-key than the former, but are still worthy of note.
Precaria’s mix of classic and modern deliveries works very well here, and their music is very well-received by yours truly. It’s a strong collection of fury and ritualistic atmosphere to open this split with.
The impressively named Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering are up next, with 21 minutes of what is apparently the first recorded output of this band.
Although Precaria’s music is undoubtedly fast, furious, and merciless, Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering are a more brutal proposition, while still remaining largely savagely fast. The songs here are have a more muscular side to them than the other bands on this split, betraying death metal roots alongside the blackened ones.
The band make an immense noise, drowning the listener in dissonant riffs and harsh blasting. Their blackened death metal is ugly and grim, and sounds like something vomited up from the darkest parts of the abyss. This is less multifaceted and textured than Precaria’s visceral onslaught, at least most of the time, and instead Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering offer music that’s more straightforward in its aggression. This is only by comparison, however, as the black metal side of the band means that there’s more here than simple death metal brutality; many interesting ideas and creative flourishes are seen across the tracks, from slower, atmospheric parts, to some doom metal-influenced leads, to softer ambient sections.
The singer’s brutal deathgrowls are a welcome addition to the music too, and both his voice and the rest of the music are pitch-black in delivery.
This is an impressive few songs that Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering have produced here, with their black/death metal delivery being well-balanced between outright brutality and nuanced structuring. I look forward to hearing more from this group in the future. If this is anything to go by, whatever they do next will be worth hearing.
Finally we encounter Dominus Ira, a one man project, who closes the split with 23 minutes of dark black metal.
Dominus Ira’s contribution has a more traditional second wave influence that’s immediately apparent, and the songs are more frosted and windswept when compared to Precaria’s fiery delivery, or Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering’s abyssal malevolence.
There’s a depressive black metal tinge to some of the music on Dominus Ira’s tracks too, but this is not a huge part of the songs’ sound. Rather, it’s simply one aspect of the melting pot we find here, which also includes, at various points, some mournful bass, punk energy, majestically cold guitars, icy groove, and rich melody. Out of all of this I want to focus on the bass guitar’s use a little more, as this is an aspect of Dominus Ira’s sound that I particularly enjoyed. Rather than effectively being invisible as it is in most black metal bands, (or most bands in general), I find that it frequently plays an important part in the songs here, which is something that I appreciate.
The singer has an orthodox scream that’s nice to hear after the other styles used by the other two bands.
Overall this is a prime split from three different bands each with their own take on blackened extreme metal. It’s rare to hear bands working together collectively on a concept like they have done here, and this feeds into the music itself. Each of the three bands on this split very much have their own identities and ways of working, but they have effectively come together to produce something greater than the sum of its parts. All three bands are to be commended for crafting something as high quality as this, and Metamorphosphoros is a split you won’t want to miss out on if you’re a fan of underground black metal.
* This archive will be updated throughout time.
Metal Under - by Alexander Welt
(https://cyberhoods.wixsite.com/magazine)
Qué tal todos... hoy toca el turno de hablar de un split álbum que comparten tres
bandas de diferentes países pero que a su vez interconexionan en un mismo plano para
manifestar su arte conceptual que trata de temas espirituales ocultos, un viaje al Abismo,
un sacrificio de la carne y una inmolación del ser con los fuegos de la transformación
divina (Theion) para descender, ascender y trascender Eternamente a través de la
muerte al vacío final. Cada una de las tres bandas presenta su enfoque personal en
forma de arte de black metal oscuro y catártico de alta calidad.
A continuación les voy a relatar un poco de lo que podemos apreciar en esta visión compartida entre estas tres bandas, pero no sin antes mencionar algunos aspectos relevantes de cada una sólo para aquellos que no están familiarizados con estas entidades, pero antes de eso les quiero hacer mención de que METAMORPHOSPHOROS se lanzó el pasado 30 de marzo a través del sello italiano "I Voidhanger Records", limitado a 500 copias, y su portada fue un diseño del pintor estadounidense Elijah Tamu y este mismo artwork será incluido en el libro Arte Arcana que está próximo a ser publicado en el mes de junio y donde también se verán trabajos de otros pintores de la talla de Benjamín Vierling y Daniele Valeriani. También es bueno mencionar que el título de este Split METAMORPHOSPHOROS es una fusión entre Metamorfosis y Fósforos, el fuego alquímico (en griego) que es relevante a la transformación del alma por medio del fuego oculto que arde dentro de nosotros, y ese fuego recibe el nombre específicamente de Theion.
En primera instancia tenemos a Precaria, una banda procedente del Estado de Nuevo León México, su fundador y frontman Hermit Ov Tehom es el encargado de la realización de todos los temas de Precaria que se incluyen en este Split. Precaria comenzó actividades en el año 2010 y fue concebida por su fundador como un arma espiritual letal, emanada en forma de arte negro, musicalmente denominado black metal, para expresar su necesidad personal de manifestar odio y sentimientos podridos que le envenenaban la mente y el alma. En un sentido metafórico espiritual se refiere a la carencia del ser humano de obtener todo lo que jamás tendrá, y a esto estará condenado hasta que decida romper su percepción materialista y su enfoque en la realidad terrenal donde vivimos, de esa eterna precariedad le dio el nombre a la banda. Temas del Split: 01. Precaria - Ritus Primordiales 02. Precaria - Ex Abyssia 03.- Precaria - Traficando los Órganos de la Iglesia 04. Precaria - La Obra Negra Deicida
Después tenemos a una banda estadounidense llamada Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering, que también se inició en el año 2010 y como su nombre lo dice representa el espiral de muerte del sufrimiento heredado por la misma naturaleza del ser humano. Una banda más canalizada en el Death metal ennegrecido en su musicalidad pero perfectamente equi l ibrado entre la absoluta brutalidad y matices estructurales sombríos y abismales. Cabe señalar que ésta vendría siendo la primera producción realizada y editada de la banda y qué sirve como Debut y antesala de lo que podría ser el inicio de una carrera prometedora. Ac tualmente se encuentran produciendo su primer larga duración. Temas del Split: 05. Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering - Ascend to Below 06.-Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering - Bliss Inferno / Le Grand Néant 07. Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering - Breath of Immortality.
Nos encontramos con otra banda llamada Dominus Ira, proveniente de Rusia, y proyecto de un solo integrante (Dmitry Kir) que se inició en el 2004 Se refiere del latín al Maestro/Señor de la Ira, Estos comparten un black metal más tradicional, en ciertos pasajes con tintes melancólicos, una atmósfera fría y melodías majestuosas que no paran de enriquecer sus tres temas cargados de misticismo y oscuridad. Temas del Split: 08. Dominus Ira - Ashes of Your Faith 09. Dominus Ira - Eerie Subterranean Call 10. Dominus Ira - ...of Coldness
Pues bien, ahora vamos a sumergirnos en el Abismo sin retorno para relatar un poco del contenido de esta obra de metal negro ortodoxo. El Split abre con el intro Ritus Primordiales, en donde Precaria da inicio con una oración de apertura en latín con forma para comenzar a descender hacia las sombras. En el segundo tema titulado Ex Abyssia, un tema de 9 minutos de completo caos delirante, dónde Precaria hace gala de esa rapidez descomunal perfectamente fusionada a melodias inquietantes con partes disonantes y atmósfera abrasiva que enciende el alma con todos esos riffs fusionados para la inmolación del cuerpo (y de esto mismo se refiere) a la descomposición de la carne para dar paso al supremo vacío de la muerte y la purificación del alma con Theion en auto inmolación, abrazado por los fuegos de la transformación, la precariedad espiritual de la raza humana antes mencionada y él inmundo rechazo hacia ésta misma y hacia la maldita religión. Tenemos una lírica profundamente inspirada en temas meramente espirituales y aspectos nihilistas, mezclando el latín, el inglés y el español eficazmente dándole un toque sumamente Omniversal, con unas vociferaciones de Hermit Ov Tehom tan endemoniadamente bestiales como si recién sal iera del Abismo. Después pasamos al tercer tema titulado Traficando los órganos de la iglesia, que al igual que Ex Abyssia abre con esa ferocidad delirante y una disonancia que no da cabida al respiro, la melodía y la atmósfera son absolutamente desquiciantes y en cuanto a las letras como se puede ver son letras blasfemas y de absoluto rechazo a la iglesia y a todos sus falsos dioses, un tema apabullante hasta el último segundo donde cierra con unos misticos cantos eclesiasticos femeninos y una aclamación gutural de las palabras en latín veni, veni, Dominus, Dominus Lux Ferre qué exhortan la llegada del Maestro Lucifer, para después cerrar su participación con el tema titulado La Obra Negra Deicida, que es un tema extraído de su demo llamado Precaria, y que está plagado de Furia y rapidez con cambios de ritmo fantásticos que van de la auténtica devastación a partes más melódicas y unos riffs destructores, denotando una vez más por medio de este tema su absoluto rechazo hacia la humanidad y a sus ídolos creados. Un tema totalmente Anti-Religión y de absoluta promulgación de muerte al falso Dios.
De esta manera damos paso a Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering con su primer tema titulado Ascend to Below y aquí nos adentramos en terrenos más brutales y asfixiantes con casi 7 minutos del más puro y bestial Death Metal ennegrecido, riffs poderosos y arpegios brutales que cambian de ritmo y un interludio demencial que abre paso a la parte extasiante del tema con esa melodía flotando por encima de una base densa y latente, con unos cánticos referentes a la muerte, el descender, ascender y trascender el espíritu para la transformación A continuación nos presenta el tema Bliss Inferno, un tema que nos adentra en pasajes más lentos y sombríos en su estructura, fusionados con el caos sepulcral y la brutalidad ya establecida, el tema se refiere a encontrar la libertad a través de la muerte y por lo tanto la libertad de la vida, un tema exquisito en cuestión de composición y arreglos, incluyendo un outro llamado Le Grand Néant y terminan su participación en este split con el tema Breath of Immortality, otro tema de paramos lentos y artesanales con la inclusión de un teclado sutil para dar esa atmósfera Misteriosa y después dar paso a la devastación y al Death metal más bestial y oscuro de los tres temas aquí presentados, en cuanto a sus letras nos habla más de la entropía del caos y la muerte, la metamorfosis a través de la gnosis de Theion, un tema que nos transporta irremediablemente al vacío eterno de la muerte acausal. Y así proseguimos con la última de las tres bandas aquí manifestadas, la cual lleva por nombre Dominus Ira, que Inicia con el tema titulado Ashes of your Faith, y aquí nos topamos cómo lo había mencionado con un metal negro más tradicional que se desarrolla con riffs más crudos y una atmósfera fría y melancólica que también es reflejada en lo angustiante de sus letras que transmiten una especie de dolor y desesperanza causada por la muerte de la fe y la devoción, abriendo paso hacia otro tema titulado Eerie Subterranean Call, uno de los temas más Raw que nos comparten en esta división de bandas, riffs atmosféricos y cierta crudeza envolvente y esa voz tan infernal que refleja el caos, el reinado de la muerte total y la caída de Dios y de ángeles envueltos en el fuego más negro, dando paso al último tema de esta banda y de este split que lleva por título Of Coldness, el tema más largo y más pasivo con un ritmo lento y un arpegio angustiante que refleja una frialdad eterna de sus letras que evocan a la muerte imperante sobre los mundos insoldables de la oscuridad. Y de este modo finaliza esta entrega y está visión catártica y oscura por parte de estas tres bandas que sin duda nos han entregado lo mejor de su arte negro en sus composiciones conceptuales acerca de este plano espiritual y en total evocación a la muerte. Un split que recomiendo ampliamente y que no se debe dejar pasar por su alta calidad compositiva y por su alto contenido ecléctico que hacen de ello una combinación nueva y única. E.K.S.A!!!
No Clean Singing - by Islander
(http://www.nocleansinging.com)
Metamorphosphoros is one of those rare splits in which the participating bands collaborated in the creation of a conceptually integrated sequence of songs, in this case a musical vision that’s devoted to “Theion“, the divine fires of transformation — the medium for a purifying immolation of the self, bringing about a Descent into the abyss, and an Ascent and eternal Transcendence through Death.
The participants in this album-length cathartic experience are three underground black metal bands from different countries: Precaria (Mexico), Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering (U.S.), and Dominus Ira (Russia). The album will be released by the distinctive I, Voidhanger Records on March 30, and today we’re fortunate to host the premiere of one of the album’s ten tracks — an offering by Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering (“DIS“) entitled “Bliss Inferno / Le Grand Néant“.
Metamorphosphoros includes three tracks by DIS, a band based in Memphis, Tennessee that was first formed in 2009. In the sequence of the album, those tracks follow the four songs by Precaria that start the album, and they precede the three tracks by Dominus Ira that end it.
By the time listeners reach the music of DIS, they will already have been consumed by the fires of Precaria. Precaria’s tracks manifest the concept of Theion in breathtaking fashion, through roaring storms of violent power and mind-bending speed and complexity.
Precaria’s music is a dense and wholly enveloping experience, propelled by stunningly furious drumming, blazingly fast and acrobatically nimble bass performances, and an extravaganza of wild, brain-warping guitar contortions. The music is exultant, and delirious, with a panoramic sweep, and staggering displays of gale-force ferocity.
The heaving and blaring chords resemble the massed power and ominous grandeur of a symphonic horn section; the melodies are discordant and deranged; the lead guitar is both frighteningly fast and completely unhinged, darting like a demon and whirling like a dervish in a mad dance; the vocals are no less frightening and fiery. And at well-chosen moments, the hurricanes of sound diminish, making way for eerie ambient passages and even angelic female vocals.
It would be a risky endeavor for any band to have to follow 25 minutes of Precaria’s utterly riveting and mentally destabilizing assaults, but DIS don’t shy away from the task. They meet it head-on with three tracks of equally decimating power and head-twisting, disorienting impact.
As in the case of Precaria’s tracks, those of DIS are often terrifically fast, and they also twist and turn in unpredictable directions, the fretwork flashing and leaping like demons cavorting in the fires of Hell. But the band also slow the pacing, delivering fearsome visions at a staggering pace, sometimes with searing solo guitar work or sweeping waves of spectral sound above the massive, lurching low-end weight.
The songs also end in surprising ways, with an atmospheric interlude of paranormal ambient electronic music at the end of the first one; an unexpected guitar duet to conclude the second; and the mournful sounds of strings to end the third.
DIS incorporate elements of death metal as well, most noticeably in the voracious growls of Principivm Angvis (who is also the band’s lead guitarist and bassist), and in some of the more massive, doom-shrouded riffs. And they add to the atmosphere of occult mystery and infernal majesty that surrounds the songs with shimmers and swirls of eerie melody.
The song we’re premiering today, “Bliss Inferno“, is a striking example of these achievements. And the band could hardly have chosen a more perfect title for the song, a title that could just as easily have been used for this album as a whole. The music sounds immense, and the chiming, dissonant notes together with the stately, booming cadence of the pacing give the song a majestic solemnity, as well as an air of looming malignancy, the sense of a sinister power poised to deliver an obliterating strike.
And the band themselves also deliver the strike, exploding in storms of blasting percussion, frenzied riffing, and enormous pulsating tones in the low end. DIS also add to the atmosphere of esoteric transformation with freakish spirals of guitar melody and other effusions of intricate fretwork. In addition, the conclusion of the song provides the further surprise mentioned above — an interlude called “Le Grand Néant” that’s an entrancing yet dark, distorted, and disturbing guitar duet, which has a bit of a flamenco flavor.
Perhaps needless to say, if DIS had their work cut out for them following Precaria, Dominus Ira (the solo project of Dmitry Kir, with session drums by Sculpto) have an even more difficult task following both Precaria and DIS. But they too rise to the challenge. Their three songs display a level of intricacy, unorthodox creativity, and fierce passion that rival those of their partners on this split.
At times slow and majestic, and at other times feverish and frenetic, the music is persistently powerful and persistently disturbing. An atmosphere of pitch-black darkness pervades the songs throughout all of their manifold changes of course — and the songs do change course abruptly, with sharp variations in tempo, rhythm, and mood. To a greater extent than the other two bands, Dominus Ira also unveil cascades of beautiful (albeit deeply melancholy) melody to go along with episodes of pure lunacy and blood-freezing fury.
Like the first two bands, this one displays impressive technical skill and hair-raising vocal barbarism and agony, and Dominus Ira also displays a knack for layering the music with a rich array of unexpected and often off-balancing sonic textures. Moreover, the juxtaposition of the shattering hurricane of insanity that feeds into the end of their second track, “Eerie Subterranean Call”, against the heart-rending funereal dirge that makes up the first half of the album’s final track, “…Of Coldness”, is one of the record’s high points.
Metamorphosphoros is, in short, a masterful creation by three black metal bands who clearly don’t feel hemmed in by convention, and whose unbounded creativity is matched by their compositional intricacy and their jaw-dropping technical skill. The album as a whole is wonderfully multi-faceted, emotionally provocative, and transfixing from beginning to end. It stands as an immersive work of dark and cathartic black metal art that will be difficult for anyone else to match this year.
A work of such rare esoteric power demanded equally striking artwork, and received it, thanks to the talents of Elijah Tamu (Panegyrist), who created the memorable cover image and the sigil for the album.
I hope you enjoy the one track from the album that we’re premiering today — and trust me, as good as “Bliss Inferno” is, it’s just the tip of a magnificent iceberg.
Pasifagresif - by Guest Author
(http://www.pasifagresif.com)
What I like most about split albums is that I can discover brand new bands and discover strange songs. Though I think that's the ultimate goal of the split, the bands can get recognition with a few striking songs they can not present as an album. I made such an introduction because I knew through three different groups, "Metamorphosphoros", that I did not know much about underground stuff. I am pleased with the overall production because I have not started the album with great expectations, and I am starting to explain why.
Precaria from Mexico, Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering from the United States, Dominus Ira from Russia, black metal occult and indeed representatives of the dirty side. In short, after the various stages, the spiritual / devilish transformation is all three groups for the "Metamorphosphoros", in which the concept of coming beyond human beings is defined as a concept. The teams are working in a variety of sources for the concept album, but I can not go ahead without telling Precaria, who does the hardest job in my opinion, to escape the slightest ease before I start praising the groups / songs. Because the other two groups have contributed to the album with brand new songs, Precaria has taken two of its four tracks from previous recordings and positioned it on the split. I used to sit around and turn and turn and listen to the previous records to make comparisons;
As with almost every band I've ever heard that Mexican bands do not have jokes in their work, Precaria is more open to the album. The "Ex Abyssia" group, which started after the folly of "Primitive Ayin" which opened the album, proves with seriousness that the lyrics of this song have been read seriously and that there is no joke:
"Dominus inversus, sic transit mors ego.
Laudate creatio, laudate interitus.
Aqua - Terra - Ignis - Aura "
A kind of saturation is achieved at the beginning and the album is reached within seconds of satirizing the pleasures. The band is making harsh vocals and plenty of excavated black metal; it also reveals it with its comprehensive and extreme brutal compositions. The fact that "Ex Abyssia" and other Precaria artworks, which can be counted as the heavyweight of the album, are in constant change, shows great compatibility with the words mentioned. If the lyrics are up to two word pages long, Latin, English, Spanish, the songs that are already allotted make it scary. The inner vocals of the vocals, the riffs between the pessimism and the frightening, the drums trying to reach the blast beat without slowing, the listeners in each of the trumpets, it significantly increases the albinism of the pieces. As I said, although the two songs belong to the old productions, they are still in concept and they do not prevent Precaria from having a hell of wind.
If Precaria successfully performs the task and leaves the scene to the Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering, the anthem of vocals and instrumentation is on the head of Morbid Angel / Behemoth, and musical points emerge from the Nightbringer. Although I can not say anything to the musician, I can not say that the music presented is very enthusiastic and innovative, perhaps due to the special preparation of the concept. It is hard to say at the very least that the pieces made by the team with this very long name are striking, at least after the Mexican folks have turned the animal into a slapstick with four animals.
The three works ending "Metamorphosphoros" are signed by Dominus Ira. Dominus Ira, who is the complementary to the concept by playing the old head black metal, is trying to pull the upsidedness of the production upwards and distribute a bit of the choking air created by the very long-named band, without trying to be a brilliant creature, The single-seated formation, which features sharp and 90's tunes with rifles, allows you to enjoy the coolness of Tambov's city, which is at -4 degrees Celsius, during your critical time.
If I try to express the experience that Split might live with you, though, if you are curious about the genre, you should do it yourself, at least listen to Precaria and Dominus Ira. The "Metamorphosphoros" black metal enthusiast, who has no bad names, will not disappoint music lovers, and the ones farther from the genre will be able to connect with at least the first few tracks.
7.5/10
Wonderbox Metal - by Wonderbox Metal
(http://www.wonderboxmetal.com)
This is a split between three black metal bands, Precaria from Mexico, Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering from the US, and Dominus Ira from Russia.
This is a split based around a single concept, (the concept of Theion, the divine fire that burns but never consumes), with each band contributing their individual vision of occult black metal to the overarching whole. A lot of time and effort has obviously gone into this release, which is reflected in the lengthy playing time of 68 minutes.
We start with Precaria and their part which consists of 25 minutes of esoteric black metal that’s furiously delivered with the passion of the zealot.
Largely fast and furious, and with a malevolent grandeur running through it, the music twists and turns through the playing time. Fiery blast beats war with heated sermons for the prevalent focal point, with subtle keyboards adding extra depth in the background, seeming to lurk behind the barbed facade of the guitars, the pounding drums, and the pulpit of the singer. These keyboards shouldn’t be discounted, however, and have a serious presence in certain parts of the songs, leading to some impressive atmosphere being created.
The chanted vocals of the singer are one of the more striking features of this band, but they also have some quality melodies wrapped around their vicious rhythm guitars. The latter may be more low-key than the former, but are still worthy of note.
Precaria’s mix of classic and modern deliveries works very well here, and their music is very well-received by yours truly. It’s a strong collection of fury and ritualistic atmosphere to open this split with.
The impressively named Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering are up next, with 21 minutes of what is apparently the first recorded output of this band.
Although Precaria’s music is undoubtedly fast, furious, and merciless, Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering are a more brutal proposition, while still remaining largely savagely fast. The songs here are have a more muscular side to them than the other bands on this split, betraying death metal roots alongside the blackened ones.
The band make an immense noise, drowning the listener in dissonant riffs and harsh blasting. Their blackened death metal is ugly and grim, and sounds like something vomited up from the darkest parts of the abyss. This is less multifaceted and textured than Precaria’s visceral onslaught, at least most of the time, and instead Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering offer music that’s more straightforward in its aggression. This is only by comparison, however, as the black metal side of the band means that there’s more here than simple death metal brutality; many interesting ideas and creative flourishes are seen across the tracks, from slower, atmospheric parts, to some doom metal-influenced leads, to softer ambient sections.
The singer’s brutal deathgrowls are a welcome addition to the music too, and both his voice and the rest of the music are pitch-black in delivery.
This is an impressive few songs that Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering have produced here, with their black/death metal delivery being well-balanced between outright brutality and nuanced structuring. I look forward to hearing more from this group in the future. If this is anything to go by, whatever they do next will be worth hearing.
Finally we encounter Dominus Ira, a one man project, who closes the split with 23 minutes of dark black metal.
Dominus Ira’s contribution has a more traditional second wave influence that’s immediately apparent, and the songs are more frosted and windswept when compared to Precaria’s fiery delivery, or Deathspiral of Inherited Suffering’s abyssal malevolence.
There’s a depressive black metal tinge to some of the music on Dominus Ira’s tracks too, but this is not a huge part of the songs’ sound. Rather, it’s simply one aspect of the melting pot we find here, which also includes, at various points, some mournful bass, punk energy, majestically cold guitars, icy groove, and rich melody. Out of all of this I want to focus on the bass guitar’s use a little more, as this is an aspect of Dominus Ira’s sound that I particularly enjoyed. Rather than effectively being invisible as it is in most black metal bands, (or most bands in general), I find that it frequently plays an important part in the songs here, which is something that I appreciate.
The singer has an orthodox scream that’s nice to hear after the other styles used by the other two bands.
Overall this is a prime split from three different bands each with their own take on blackened extreme metal. It’s rare to hear bands working together collectively on a concept like they have done here, and this feeds into the music itself. Each of the three bands on this split very much have their own identities and ways of working, but they have effectively come together to produce something greater than the sum of its parts. All three bands are to be commended for crafting something as high quality as this, and Metamorphosphoros is a split you won’t want to miss out on if you’re a fan of underground black metal.
* This archive will be updated throughout time.
