Ephel Duath
Phormula

THE REVIEW

One of the most twisted albums in history. I know this statement might raise some eyebrows, but honestly, I can't find a better way to define this work, known as "Phormula," which was born from the minds of a group capable like few others of dividing critics: Ephel Duath.

The group, then composed of Davide Tiso on guitars and Giuliano Mogicato on bass, synthesizers, programming, and vocals, managed to propose something new in the extreme music scene right from this first “Phormula,” something truly different that was so completely breaking from the past to be either adored madly or viscerally hated. Their post-black metal indeed took on a distinctly progressive hue, thanks to the continuous use of time changes, particularly elaborate riffs and solos, but also atmospheres that closely recalled the great bands of the '70s.

Thus in 2000, their first masterpiece was born, consisting of eight songs, all extremely complex and deconstructed to the end, in which the traditional verse-chorus song structure literally goes out the window, favoring more complex structures, where the text often takes the form of an actual story. Musically, each track stands out from anything heard until then, from the electronic black metal in "Embossed," which features breathtaking instrumental breaks, to the accelerations worthy of the best of Emperor (with due stylistic differences), all supported by Giuliano's insane screaming. Melodic black metal territories are touched with the second track "The Greyness Grows Already Old", introduced and led by an extremely delicate piano that winds through impenetrable riffs and a drum driven at crazy speeds, as are the rapid guitar solos in the second part of the song.

Also worth mentioning is "A Flickering Warmth," with its particularly dark and malevolent appeal, which further showcases the band's black side, without neglecting electronic hints, especially regarding the drums. The splendid keyboard effects tend to make the atmospheres even gloomier. Somewhat like an oddity, we find the instrumental "Myriad", with almost Gypsy tones, punctuated by drums in the background and carried by a delicately guitar melody showing the musicians' truly rare taste in music.

"Pursuing The Instinct" seeks to bring us back to more purely black territories, revealing itself as yet another blow, fired at unimaginable speeds, supporting the vocals focused once more on the scream. The guitar solo is extremely atmospheric, slowing down slightly, maintaining a much more controlled execution speed, instead preferring to emphasize the emotional aspect. While the other tracks all present themselves in an extremely positive manner, they are less representative, settling on more than good qualitative levels, only slightly lacking in variety, and presenting themselves as almost similar to each other.

Considering that, excluding the first demo, this is the first full-length work for these folks from Padua, the final result can only excite all those who love experimentation in all musical fields; this is not an album suitable for everyone, in fact, perhaps few will accept it to the end, but those who do will be truly ecstatic both from the purely musical aspect and from the technical one, as our musicians deliver a truly impeccable instrumental performance totally free from any type of criticism.