Monuments of Decimation

I’m doing this review in two different sections starting with Spiculum Iratus first. To their credit Spiculum Iratus does something that most black metal bands don't and that is they don’t overshadow or drown out the vocals with the music. Part of appreciating a good album (especially black metal) is being able to hear the entire cast with great balance and flow. Spiculum Iratus has achieved that here on this split. Savnok's vocal delivery is dark and brooding yet very cold and devastating. I can best describe the vocals as somewhat along the lines of Red Harvest's Jim Bergsten. And that would be a good thing if you can appreciate the coldness and despair of his vocals on songs like "Cold Dark Matter".

The song "Black Crucifixion Wounds" is a blistering piece of music all on its own, crushing your eardrums with six string veracity while filling your heart with total blackness. Spiculum Iratus is not holding anything back here. This band is not here to dazzle you with haunting keyboards or flowery melodies. They just come straight at you attacking every nerve pummeling the senses with aggressive intensity. Songs like "Scrolls of the Dead" just consume the listener while evoking a serious sense of dread and anger. Other great tracks on this side of the split are "Perdition", "Sky Burial Requiem", and "The Seventh Day of Wrath". The production on this split is good, not great, but good for what the band is trying to achieve. The album also flows very nicely as the musical arrangements are in top order.


Featuring the guitarist from Spiculum Iratus we jump onto the second half of the split with Bestial Incarnation. And right out of gates is the blasting darkness of the song "Dominated Abhorrence". The eerie and blackened feel of this song reminds me a lot of early Marduk. Again, very good use of the vocals although not quite as easy to hear like that in SI but still very effective. Seregul's vocals are absolutely blood curdle ling as he screams like a lyrical assassin. The flow and chemistry of this band is excellent and without flaw. The self titled "Bestial Incarnation" continues the bloodbath of hatred with chaotic lunacy. Again, this part of the album flows very nicely from one song to another. "Opprobrium Bestowed upon the Sub-Humans" is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. It’s just unrelenting and searing with punishing musicianship.

The song arrangements of this song are outstanding and perfect. The final two tracks "Divinity Scorned" and "Eradicating the Human Race" continue the onslaught of merciless aggression. Certainly a highlight for me in 2007 I would highly recommend anyone to pick this album up at your own risk. If you like black metal smashing and caving your face in than this split is the way to go. With both bands paying homage to the tradition of old school black metal Spiculum Iratus & Bestial Incarnation are a nice bit of cold and gasping air in a sea of mediocrity.