Band: Limbonic Art
Album: Opus Daemoniacal
Genre: (Symphonic) Black Metal
Country: Norway
Label: Kyrck Productions & Armour
Released: June 28, 2024
Introduction
Does this band need an introduction? The answer to that should probably be no. The band is a well-known established act within the black metal scene, and they’ve been around for more than 30 years now, as they were founded back in 93′ by Daemon. I was around 16 when they released their first full album, Moon in the Scorpio, and that album is still to this day among my all time favourite black metal albums.
In the following years they released another 3 stellar albums (In Abhorrence Dementia, Epitome of Illusions, Ad Noctum — Dynasty of Death) but thereafter, I lost track of them. I did listen to their newer albums, but not as much as the earlier ones (and I don’t think I’m alone in this).
But, 30 years later and the band (well band, it’s a solo project these days), released a new album. Limbonic Art will always be something special to me, but let’s see if that sentiment still holds true for this record.
Opus Daemoniacal
Track list:
- Ad Astra et Abyssos
- Deify Thy Master
- Consigned to the Flames
- Vir Triumphalis
- I Am Your Demon
- The Wrath of Storms
- Ars Diavoli
So 7 years in the making, this new album contains 8 brand new tracks and it has a run time of 50 minutes. Let’s start with focusing on the production of the album because that’s very well done. It all sounds very clean, but not too overproduced, the instruments are in the correct spots (which is always a plus) and the vocals aren’t drowned by the instruments. That’s a good thing because the vocals, for me, are one of the highlights on this new album.
I loved the vocals when I was a teen, and they still work for me, they are harsh, but not too harsh, you can just feel the fierceness in them. Daemon, after 30 years, still got it and his delivery is strong on all 8bsongs.
Of those 8 tracks, 2 stand out of for me, the first one is the third track of the album with the title Consigned to the Flames. This track is very fierce with awesome riffs, the drums just keep going and Daemons vocals compliments this entire package, the track also fades into the fourth track Vir Triumphalis very well.
The best track of the album (for me) is the sixth track, I Am Your Demon. The intro with the beating drums is very enjoyable, and it starts off with fury. The drums are relentless, just the way I like them, the song slows down a bit, but that brings out Deamon’s vocals more to the foreground. If I have to pick out one track for folks listen to it to get a feel for the new album, it would be this one.
Conclusion
So Limbonic Art is back, that part is obvious, but did they deliver on this new album? That’s a hard question and something everyone needs to answer for themselves. Though I did enjoy the album overall, but is it good if we match it to our scoring chart, then no it’s not.
The album overall is a bit tame, and it misses the symphonic part that made the first albums of Limbonic Art great. It has some symphonic elements, of course, but it doesn’t come close to, for example, Moon in the Scorpio. It all feels a bit tame. I’m glad to see that Limbonic Art are back, but I hope that if there is a new album after this one, he goes back a bit more to the roots of let’s say the first 4 albums. And as said, make it more symphonic because that made Limbonic Art stand out for me.
BMZ Rating: 6,5 – Above Average: This album shows promise with several standout moments. It shines in places, either through memorable tracks or other unique aspects like vocals, drums etc.
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