Band: Deus Mortem
Album: Thanatos
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Poland
Label: Profane Spirit Productions
Released: 15th of November 2024
Introduction
Dues Mortem, a black metal outfit out of Poland, will release a new album on the 15th of November (2024). It will bear the name Thanatos. For me, this band is a new discovery. Never heard their previous albums (Kosmocide / Emanations of the Black Light) but that shouldn’t be a problem, that’s one of the joys I get from writing black metal reviews, the discovery of new bands (new for me at least) and their work.
The band emerged out of the abyss in 2008, but their first full album, Emanations of the Black Light was released in 2013, and it was well received, the same goes for their second album, Kosmocide which was released in 2019. Almost 6 years have passed since that second album, but their infernal third work is ready to be shown to the world.
Thanatos
One of my greates interest outside of music is history and that includes ancient Greek history, so when a band releases an album with the title Thanatos, that piques my interest. As we all know (at least this should be well known) Thanatos is the personification of Death in the ancient Greek mythology and that, for me, sets a precedent.
In the press release, they state the following;
“Thanatos” is a concept album that confronts the complexities of human existence. It takes listeners on a transformative journey through illusory realities, unveiling hidden truths and stripping away the veils of deception. It’s a testament to personal struggle and the power of the Black Flame.”
The lyrics have more to do with the Black Flame than with the myth behind Thanatos himself. Some lyrics are in Polish, others in English, but overall, they are well written, and when the album is available, I urge you to search them out and follow along.
Tracklist:
- Krwawy świt (A Bloody Dawn)
- Slow Death
- Resurrecting the Pillars of Fire
- A Lamb in the Arms of a Wolf
- W serce płomiennej gnozy (Into the heart of the flaming gnosis)
- Czarny kruk (Black Raven)
- When the Creation Tastes of Dionysian Wine
- Noesis
The press release stated that they went a bit of a different route for their third album. Since I’m not familiar with the first two albums, I can’t say whether that’s a bad thing or not, but for me, the sound of the third album is a great mix of black metal and black ‘n roll (or rock/heavy metal whatever you want to call it).
That black ‘n roll feeling is present in almost all the songs and if it’s not obvious, there is a hint of it in a hidden layer beneath the black metal. That starts with the first track of the album, Krwawy świt (A Bloody Dawn). The start of the track is full speed ahead, but it switches to a more black ‘n roll vibe, this switching of genres and tempos continues throughout the track (and album).
If the previous albums were more fast-paced and in your face black metal. It’s not difficult to imagine that this change of a pace needs to acclimate with those listeners. But for me (and others) that is not familiar with if, it’s a nice change of pace from the regular run-of-the-mill black metal we all know.
One of my favorite tracks on the album is the fourth one called A Lamb in the Arms of a Wolf, that tracks starts off with a drumming rhythm that is just memorizing. This song is slow paced compared to the other tracks, but that slowness, paired with the drums and vocals, make for an enchanting feeling.
Another great song is the seventh one, When the Creation Tastes of Dionysian Wine. That song also gives off an enchanting feeling, but it’s more fast-paced than the previous mentioned song. That is what makes this album great. The flow of the album is what keeps it interesting because every track has its sound and that makes it easy to listen to (on repeat even). I talked about that hidden layer of black ‘n roll at the start of this review, and that is also found here. Well, it’s not hidden that much in this song, but it makes the song stand firmly on its own as one of the standout tracks of this album.
Conclusion
I can’t give a grade based on a comparison with the older albums as this is my first dip into the Deus Mortem pool, so this grade is solely based on this output. This album was a bit of a surprise for me. At my first listening, it didn’t really click, but slowly it crept inside my skull. Then there was something new to discover on each listening session, and that’s what makes for a great album in my book.
BMZ Rating: 8,5 – Very Good: An impressive album that rises above many others. It features innovative ideas, captivating lyrics, or excellent musicianship that makes it stand out.
Support Deus Mortem here: https://deusmortemofficial.bandcamp.com/
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