Dødsengel – Visionary
Savage. Complex. Symphonic. Ugly. Hate. Pain. Just some of the sensations created by this immense masterpiece of Norwegian Black Metal.
A solemn piano melody sets a scene of anticipation, and ends with almost silent mutterings. Intro-haters may wish to skip this first track, but I like the way it contrasts with the sharp, nasty riffing that whips you in the face when ‘Word of Uncreation’ launches itself at your defenceless ears…
…And, believe me, by the time ‘Word of Uncreation’ finishes, you’ll feel like you’ve already listened to a whole album. To inject such massive doses of negative energy and musical destruction into one song is something to behold.
But it doesn’t stop there – track after track, Visionary is relentless in its violent, angry mood changes. The frantic drumming sometimes seems rather lost behind the ferocious guitars and insane vocals, but you probably won’t even notice because the overall effect is so mesmerising.
The complex, unusual song structures are often reminiscent of Abigor’s rapid tempo and melody changes – but the atmosphere here is very different. Imagine yourself lying in a shitty pit of utter despair while Dødsengel smacks your pathetic face with a shovel, then buries you alive under twelve tons of rotting filth.
Grinding riffs, atmospheric harmonies, hyper-fast shrieking, slower moments of insane misery and almost indescribable nihilistic anarchy – each track will pull apart your expectations at every turn. Yet there’s always enough structure to hold everything together and draw your mind into this dark world of anti-creation.
Don’t think that this album is so fucked up that it’s unlistenable – far from it. Each track has memorable recurring themes and melodies, and Dødsengel are ingenious in the way these raw elements are chopped up, electrocuted and sewn back together to make raging attacks on your senses.
Visionary is an apt title for this Black Metal opus: the levels of imagination and effort that have gone into this landmark album are staggering. An impressive debut indeed.
Buy Dødsengel ‘Visionary’ in double-vinyl format (re-released in August 2010 by Barghest)
I admit I was more than a little sceptical when I got a request to review this Italian band. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a band that sounded more like some American gospel singers than satanic Black Metal! Thankfully after literally one second of listening my somewhat ridiculous assumptions were raped and pillaged [...]
I only recently discovered Rahu, who purvey original and very replayable Finish Black Metal of the highest calibre. This is a demo from 2008 that has since been released as part of a best of featuring this and their other demo on one CD. Although there are only three tracks delivering a mere seventeen minutes [...]
Yes I got this stuff a week ago!!.Speechless.Its just nekro.Im listening to it right now.Satanic Propaganda got tons of shit man.and i mean real good shit.Too bad I’m out of cash to shop more.ouh btw,their myspace avatar reminds me of watain “casus luciferi” album cover..if you look closely..
I’m definitely gonna check out more of Satanic Propaganda’s shit. Necroplasma has already caught my attention, and I see they have quite a lot of releases for me to seek out.
I see what you mean about the myspace avatar. Maybe it was the same artist who made it.
You mean Erik Danielson?most probably..maybe a designer and artist as well..haha.well,he designs black metal shirts and they are sold online for limited amount.
There are more great bands on S.P besides Necroplasma too..I’ve seen you have put up this review stug.good job.
Thanks Kratos. Been listening to Necroplasma – very good Black Metal. Got any other recommendations for Satanic Propaganda releases?
Dodsengel is fucked-up! In a good way. Interesting idea and shit going on, experimental without any shite. Makes for a strange but refreshing listen.
Yeah, good to find a band that is trying to do something different and actually do it well, and with maximum ferocity.
too bad only 1 sample on myspace.. sounds good but I’m not moved.. maybe it’s just me..