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Rating:
Despite personal opinions related to the strictly human side, it is undeniable to recognize in Ferdinando Marchisio (Herr Morbid, here simply Morbid) one of the most important figures in the Italian extreme scene: although not at the artistic levels of the Conforti/Zara duo (Void Of Silence), Malfeitor Fabban (Aborym, Void Of Silence) or Tommy Talamanca (Sadist), Herr Morbid managed to take his band beyond Italian borders without softening his music, thus brightening the Italian Metal image abroad. Especially in extreme territories where our country has such a low reputation as to equate it with nations like Australia, Canada, Japan.
The Forgotten Tomb project was born as a one-man band in Piacenza, thanks to the efforts of Herr Morbid, who decided in 2000 to release the first EP, 'Oscura Arcana Mortis, via Treblinka Productions.
The limited edition, only 215 copies, does not do justice to a remarkable record for the moment it was released: before the turn of the millennium, Italian extreme music bands certainly did not enjoy great attention from the labels; they were light years away from today’s condition, where new independent record labels are born everywhere, launching more and more homegrown bands. Of course, this improvement is not attributable to 'Oscura Arcana Mortis', which at the time went almost unnoticed (although praised in reviews), but this work is undoubtedly the testing ground for a project that will indeed profoundly change the Italian scene.
In a little more than 20 minutes, you can hear excellent black metal, Nordic school, yet already capable of hinting at evolving towards more personal solutions; the tracks are all more than good, with some exhilarating moments; particularly the title track is the most successful episode, and I believe, one of the best songs of the whole career of Forgotten Tomb. It alternates the usual feral, fast, and cold black metal, very indebted to the Swedish scene, especially for the blasting drumming, with slower and more reflective sequences, dominated by truly significant granite riffs. It is also the track that foreshadows what would be the evolution in the group's sound, where the work of the lead guitar creates an oppressive and depressive atmosphere.
A note of merit for the production, clean and functional, which highlights the great skills of Herr Morbid, both as a singer and as a musician: it is very difficult to find in a one-man band such a high technical rate; the scream will improve later, but the guitar work is already at a high level.
Of course, not all that glitters is gold: 'Oscura Arcana Mortis' borders perfection on a technical level, in terms of packaging, attitude, professionalism... but something is missing on an emotional level. One excellent track does not make up for the awareness that something is missing.
Forgotten Tomb reminds me of the Genoese Spite Extreme Wing in this: from sparkling premises, equally bright results never arrived. A masterpiece is missing in the discography of both groups, that would transport them from notoriety to Myth. My conviction (which it is clear remains mine and is not reflected in the judgment) is that this masterpiece will never come. Forgotten Tomb has evolved a lot in composition, but remain a cold, not very instinctive, calculated group, and this is found in the first as in the last chapter.
That said, few bands in Italy can afford to debut with so much style as Forgotten Tomb, who with this 'Oscura Arcana Mortis' have produced a really well-made album.
For excellence, please refer elsewhere. (perhaps in Shining’s house)
RATING 7 +
Tracklist
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