Into the Drape

Here we have Italy's mighty Mortuary Drape with their 1992 debut EP tentatively titled 'Into the Drape'. A band who came out six years earlier. Even putting out two demos dating back to 1987. They've gone through many line up changes since. Placing original member 'Wildness Perversion' into the lead vocal department as well as maintaining the drum throne. And recruiting two new members called 'Diabolic Obsession' (bass) and 'Maniac of Sacrifice' (guitars).

Mortuary Drape is a very unique band often calling themselves 'Occult Black Metal'. Citing bands and influences as far back as the 70's and up to early black metal bands. One album in particular comes to mind that came out only a year prior by the Greek metalheads Rotting Christ with their EP named 'Passage to Arcturo'. The drums, production and vocals are a resemblance.

One stand out aspect of M.D.'s music is the more than evident bass guitar. It is played clean and much of a leading force behind their barbaric song structures. Wildness Perversion's drum patterns are not going for the world's most technical drumming but are actually fitting to the other primitive instruments. Typically never reaching a blast beat but rather a thrash gallop. He utilizes the tom drums rather frequently by using full tom rolls to basic hits and solo tom work. The guitars are a key factor as well. They can be heard playing single strummed chords while the other instruments fill in the blanks around them. Also he blazes solos quite frequently overtop more headbanging simplistic rhythms. Giving it a heightened sense of an eerie atmosphere. Additionally, he excludes himself from using excessive amounts of palm mutes as well. Another great aspect of the guitars is when he plays clean interludes. Ironically it sounds right out a disturbing Italian horror soundtrack. Lastly, the brutish vocals are the narration overtop of these mysterious occult centered songs. He utilizes choruses a lot as well and you get a sort of ritualistic feel. Like someone is reading out of the Necronomicon and chanting spells of evil. Also his vocals are very deep. Specifically placing them somewhere in between a growl and a yell.

The fact of the matter this album is a well deserved piece of work. My only small complaint is that they have the rhythm guitars in the background. Even when it plays on its own and the drums kick in it is still the same level. But it seems they sacrificed one for the other because the drums and bass guitar are up front in the mix. Another disappointment is them not having lyrics available. Because I would like to see specifically what themes are present with this overtly obscure band.

Mortuary Drape is a band shrouded in mystery. Often bringing in different band members which should really be called sect members. They are infamous for having extravagant live shows with corpses, candles, hoods, occult insignia, and other dark elements. Which you can see why these guys don't mess with their strong beliefs. Into the Drape is a great way to first get into this band. It is their first material with a decent production. If you like 80's experimental music as well as early black metal and occult themes then I recommend this to you with high esteem.

-J.M.