Temples of Torment

In terms of quality, blackness and brutality, Ravencult is the spearhead of the pulsating Greek scene. Framed by the distorted sounds of a gloomy monks´ choir, eight vicious songs barrel along like a high-speed train. The band masterly combines furious guitar attacks with morbidly vibrating melodies. In view of the album´s murderous and extremely raw overall impression, the melodic elements fight a losing battle. Nevertheless, they make an important contribution to the acoustic appearance of this impeccable debut. The same applies, of course, to the appropriate production. Ravencult´s tonal vehemence has been put in the right perspective due to the impenetrable and voluminous wall of sound. To avoid misunderstandings, the album is not overproduced. It just gives you no possibility to escape, because its full sound embraces you violently.

Already the first devilish detonation, namely "The Sigil of Baphomet", overpowers the unsuspecting listener in a matter of seconds. The four musicians present themselves as uncontrollable, rabid dogs without neglecting to perform this song with deadly precision. Albeit the snare is hardly audible during the fastest parts of the songs, you will be impressed by the accurate and mighty hammering of the drums. The man behind the drum kit is doing his best in order to take control of the sound. But he is not able to drown out the fascinating guitar lines that do definitely not lack of pressure and harshness. Quite the opposite. Due to their razor-sharp accuracy, they try to hurt you wherever you are. I fear they will be successful. Regardless of this, the rough vocals add an adequate quantum of disgust and revulsion. Lead singer "L." - a longer name was apparently too expensive - strictly sticks to a very brute style. One might call his performance one-dimensional, but I think it matches very well with the mercilessness of the instrumental soundscape.

In accordance with the raging approach of the band, the majority of the songs is dominated by high speed rhythms. The fairly epic "The Nightsky Codex" marks the only exception, although it also offers a well executed short outburst of anger. Despite of its slower tempo, this piece creates the same devastating atmosphere as the remaining songs. It therefore belongs to the best tracks of this debut, not least because it proves that the musicians are able to manage different songwriting formulas without losing their destructive power. In addition, the aforementioned track shines with the most memorable chorus of the album due to its catchy and ultra harsh main riff.

Don´t be confused by the fact that your CD player will display a length of sixty minutes. That´s just some kind of stupid joke, because there are more than twenty minutes of silence included. At the end of the final number, Ravencult offer a hidden track. If you wait patiently, you will discover a cover version of a piece of Bathory´s debut. What an original choice... But don´t let us look for the fly in the ointment. Overall, this is a great debut which features a gargantuan intensity while being slightly influenced by groundbreaking albums such as "Pure Holocaust". From the above mentioned opener to the last explosion, the fast-paced and murderous "The Needles of Truth", the rampaging Greek horde demonstrates the overwhelming strength of underground black metal without denying their unmistakable thrash influences. A fine mixture - and an outstanding album which I can highly recommend to all those who want to explore the art of extremely rabid black thrash.

Ravencult's Armageddon Rising EP was a fairly competent foray into the grim night spectrum long associated with the Norwegian black metal circle, but it wasn't exactly the sort of groundbreaking or viciously engaging record to grow excited for. With Temples of Torment, their first full-length effort, they've made an admirable stride forward in not only the execution of the material, but the writhing, violent, oppressive subtext so intrinsic to the genre, a mesh of Mayhem's deathly consistency and Bathory's glorious, charging abandon. Temples of Torment might not be unique; but it is, in fact, the best of Ravencult, an album which makes damned sure to smash your face repeatedly into its ghastly altar before sacrificing you upon it.

The production of the guitars here is huge: hefty, but possessive of a razor-like, cutting ability that holds up through the streaming, hostile chords or the higher pitched melodic knives that often tear off into the atmosphere. After the distorted, escalating chant that inaugurates "The Sigil of Baphomet", the band immediately strikes out to slay the audience with a blast beat. The guitars are admittedly pretty predictable here, but they still possess that primal motif that first brought so many under the genre's spell; and once the song breaks into the roving, Bathory like bridge riff, you've got no choice but to crush the nearest skull with whatever spiked apparel you are sporting. This technique is also used through the verse riffing in "Commence the Burning of Heavens", or "In Times of Demise". Seeking something more punk-fueled but equally violent? "Onslaught Command" is set to tear you up. Seeking something slower and more somber in its warlike breadth? "The Nighsky Codex".

Ravencult has the tones, and for the most part, they've got successful riffs. Just about the only element that lacks in their sound is any sense for subtlety. Temples of Torment is bloody and immediate, and if that's your style, then you'll be throwing orgasmic fits of appreciation with every blood-drawing cut. They don't usually go out for much variation, relying heavily on just one or two guitar sequences to carry a 3-4 minute song, but it proves enough for much of the debut. Though the band is Greek, and one of the better straight traditional black metal bands from that region, they lack the distinction of several of their local contemporaries. But to those in the mood for a howling blast of frozen, impenetrable evil, with lyrics that are actually worth reading for their hostile, blasphemous and inspirational imagery, they should more than suffice.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com

Athens. Ancient home to Plato's Academy and Aristotle's Lyceum. Modern home to Rotting Christ, Septic Flesh, Necromantia and now Ravencult. Although this may be a debut album they're not exactly fresh faced after two demos and an EP (on which 'The Nightsky Codex' first appeared). However, despite such a prolific heritage Temples Of Torment takes a straightforward Nordic approach to the genre.

Evoking both the grim and frostbitten stylings of Immortal as well as the charging, viking bombast of Enslaved what it lacks in originality it more than makes up for in old school aggression. 'In Times Of Demise' in particular is a perfect example of the Immortal/Enslaved mix. Opening with a Bjørnson style charging riff it marches in to the trademark Immortal sound of piercing, jangly, resonant chords and throaty rasping. There's no time to fuck about with lady vocals or ambient synth noodlings, this is a down the line black metal assault.

It might be lacking slightly in variety but it's all executed with such conviction you can't help but be impressed. The clean but meaty production helps a great deal, as usual the bass is completely buried but the guitar tone is deliciously ice cold. Perhaps not essential, but well worth a run through.