Advent of the Black Omen

I can well imagine how stumbling upon this album accidentally could lead to disappointment, particularly if one was unfamiliar with the sub-cultural context from which this particular work of art evolved. Spain's Proclamation play an unholy mix of the Ross Bay (Blasphemy, Conqueror) and early 90's Finnish (Beherit, Archgoat) sounds , but with an understanding of atmospherics that places them more firmly in the former camp - the intros/outros are very similar to those of the Canadian cults rather than the crude electronics of the Finns.

However, it's suprising how unique Proclamation sound, given that in music and aesthetic they are essentially an appropriation of the iconography of a number of defunct groups. The band has evolved from the all-out-Bestial-BM-band -X-worship of their demos (Impious Jaws of Ire being the most superior) into the relatively unique sounding follow-up to this album, Messiah of Darkness and Impurity. But what of THIS album, you cry? This record is in a state of flux between the two sounds - torn between total hero-worship on the one hand, and a desire to create a more unique and atmospheric sound on the other, we have here some pretty stellar, but ultimately derirative bestial black metal.

What's good about this record is that Proclamation manage to take the chaotic drums, roaring rhythm guitars and wild, echo-chamber solo tones of the aforementioned 'bestial' sound and make it quite definately their own. The band is surprisingly tight, the songs succinct, the imagery and tone uniform but effective. However, a newcomer to this sound probably won't 'get it' (as the previous review seems to suggest) - without the 'historical' associations, this style is probably not particularly appealing to those brought up on a diet of traditional black or death metal. The key to this first Proclamation album is a knowledge and respect for those that came before them - nothing exists in a vacuum, and context is all important.

For those that 'know', this is an excellent bestial black metal album. For those that don't, it may well be chaotic noise. Don't get this if you don't like the other bands that I've mentioned in the review, or check out the follow-up, which is more 'original'.

A while ago, I was having a conversation with a fellow metalhead about the "most fucked up thing we'd heard". I put forward Hell Eternal he put forward, this album. Having heard both, he claimed this was more fucked up. There seemed to be a bit of confusion about exactly what fucked up meant: when I talk about it, I mean, heaviness, speed and aggression, when he talks about it, he must mean the points I am about to describe below...

I was a bit excited when I got a copy of this. It was relatively difficult to find. Anyway, the music isn't anything great. The music presumably tries to create some atmosphere by being raw, but it doesn't. The music isn't really all that heavy either.

The guitars on this album seem rather sloppily played with the riffs being rather inaudible due to the distortion and the fact they are lower than the vocals and the drums in the mix. There was one solo in the album and it was a good one. Pretty much the only time the guitars could really be heard.

The drums in this sound rather clattery and seem clumsily played, as if the guy has been playing for 6 months or so, he has a general idea but overall has no fucking idea what he is doing. For an example of it, see this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSzWu3NZNM0 . The difference is, the guy in the video is being stupid, and the guy in Proclamation is being series (presumably).

The vocals are pretty poor. They're overly loud and kind of obnoxious at times. They sound like raspy death metal vocals and I couldn't make out one word he was saying. It basically just sounds like he’s going raaa arrr ahhh ARRRRGH! As I said before, these vocals and the drum dominate the mix and rather drown out the guitars.

There are some really cool and dark sounding ambient noises found on this album. Prime example is Bestial Hordes from Hades. It has a wind and a church bell tolling in the background which generates feelings of doom. Very nice effect. There are also other similar creepy ambient noises found here that was a cool idea.

Anyway, Hell Eternal is still the most fucked up album I've heard, when it comes to aggression at least. Overall, this is an OK album, get it cheap, second or just download it. It isn't anything special and you really aren't missing much if you don't get it.

Conclusion: The above is recommended for download only.

The most important thing to know about Advent of the Black Omen is that it's not easy to listen to. Unlike other Blasphemy-clones whose music can be described as formulaic, this album is different. There is a uniqueness about it and it demands your full attention in order to appreciate. I have found it to be a real grower, as with each spin I find hidden treasures that pull me back into it again and again. The strange thing is that despite my numerous listens, not much sticks in my memory afterwards. Generally this would be a bad thing, however I find this to be a plus. This music is refreshing in that it is somewhat counter-intuitive, jarring even, but like a good drug, it's seriously addictive.

Although the drumming is bit simplistic, it has a style. The drummer seems to favour a heavy use of large drums. The sound of floor tom and bass drum predominate, and comes across loud, clear, and heavy. He also throws in some unique cymbal work that offers a tantalizing contrast to the drums. Excellent drum work overall.

It's a little difficult to hear the guitars, but they really come alive during a handful of random demonic solos. The intro and the outro that bookend the album are done with the right length and atmosphere; no keyboard wankery, and right on target to encapsulate this 30 minutes of bestial aural assault. You come out of this thing only remembering that it was fast, very fast, and good enough to press that repeat button.

Proclamation is a good act. From its members' pseudonyms and costumes, to their photo layout, it just oozes Blasphemy worship. But they also have the chops. Can't wait to hear their new album.

The first thing i noticed about "Advent of the Black Omen" is how harsh the production is. It's really really raw, though the riffs are still audible; in my opinion that is ideal, just the right balance. Of course comparisons will be drawn to other bands, but it is not a rip off anything. After a while i realized that they didn't include certain parts like they had on the Proclamation "Imperious Jaws..." demo, for example the parts that sound just like the beginning of "Ritual" by Blasphemy. The demo had those parts, and also the beginning of "Golgotha Impalation" which sounds exactly like "In League With Satan". I kind of liked having those varied drum parts on the demo because it mixed things up a bit, but on the other hand this album sounds more their own. I will say some of the cymbal work, like hitting two cymbols really quickly in succession reminds me a lot of 3 black hearts style.
If I was to make comparisons, I'd say it is like Blasphemy and old Beherit of course,some of the riffs remind me of Conqueror and Bestial Warlust, and plain old fashioned early death metal. One thing that really stands out is the lead guitar work. It is really interesting, and adds a lot of this soaring evil feeling to the songs. Just the right amount of reverb and tremolo bar shifting makes for some seriously sinister sounding solos, and i think the parts where they use drawn out and bent notes for intros really help set up a stifling, doomy atmosphere.
Over all i'd say the general feel of this album is more aggressive and unrelenting than the demo, which is good, and though i really enjoyed the heavy use of vocal effects and reverb on the demo, the lack thereof gives this album more of a natural feel. Also this guy's voice is so harsh he doesn't need to use them. Whoever wrote the lyrics really came up with some seriously sick and blasphemous imagery, and it's really great that all the lyrics are included in the booklet, unlike recent stuff in the genre from Black Witchery, Revenge, Rites of thy Degringolade etc....
The booklet/inserts are printed on thick, textured paper, and the layout and imagery included is PERFECT. The band pics are above average, the way they are decked out is really over the top but totally fitting, and the shot of Irreverent Captor breathing fire is immaculate(poor choice of descriptive terms maybe?). It may seem over done for a band to pose in the graveyard dressed chains and other gear but these guys pull it of in such a manner that is convincing and does not seem overly contrived at the same time. All in all, the lyrics, photos, and artwork inside really make it worth shelling out to get the cd rather than just copy or download.
All in all i think this album is a step up in extremity and intensity from the demo. The playing is tighter; the songs are more straight forward and faster. It's the type of album that is so intense it blows by you at first and takes a few listens to pick up the intracacies and before you begin to recognize and appreciate indiviual parts of the songs more. It's a much more preferable listening experience for an album to be like that than for one to be instantly catchy and then grow stale and boring after a few listens. I am really pleased with it so far, and i think i will get more and more out of it as i get to know it better.
Fans of raw old style death metal, and anyone who appreciates seriously intense and hateful black metal should really be pleased with this release.