Deathspell Omega
Kenose

Deathspell Omega from Poitiers were formed in the not-so-distant 1998 as a band devoted to the most raw and intransigent black metal, following the path set in Norway a few years earlier. After two very good albums, but ultimately canonical ("Infernal Battles" from 2000 and "Inquisitors Of Satan" from 2002) and many between EPs and Splits with other groups, they produced what is still their absolute masterpiece, "Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice", dated 2004, which was followed by this EP just a year later.

One might now wonder why I have not reviewed their most representative album, given that I am the first to write about them on De-Baser. The truth is, I like challenges, and this EP, which is an EP in name only, lasting more than 36 minutes, is a challenge. Because if the previous full-length was indeed black metal, but very complex and composite, here the extreme is reached. Here, black metal merges with death, thrash, with electronics in the third and last track, and even with jazz insights, especially in the structures, in the rhythm section, and in the nature itself of some chords.

Yes, we've talked about structures, but the term is improper, here there is no place for the song form, each track is a continuous work in progress, the riffs intertwine with each other inextricably, the time signatures are very often odd, everything seems designed to daze the listener, to give them no foothold; and indeed the initial impact is not easy, despite being an EP, this record requires patience and persistence, which are greatly rewarded later.

A separate discussion should be had for the vocals, which are also not canonical; in fact, the usual screaming is replaced by a deeper and huskier voice, very well-suited to the music and absolutely not intrusive. A final note for the lyrics, worthy of a doctor in theology, and for the splendid artwork, all in shades of red and black. Ultimately, in my opinion, a mandatory purchase for every respectable Blackster.