Unspeakable Cults

The Hellenic black metal scene has produced some of the most interesting and unique albums in all of extreme metal. These albums took a different route than their Scandinavian relatives, rather than a cold frostbitten sound the albums displayed a more mystical aura and were, dare I say may based in the occult than that other more well known scene. These albums just have a spirit and feeling found practically nowhere else, this album Unspeakable Cults has the Hellenic sound in spades, both in style and spirit, however it also represents a bit of an evolution as it takes concepts found on other albums from the scene such as Varathron's Walpurgisnacht and Rotting Christ's Non Serviam, and expands on them quite a bit, especially the Walpurgisnacht album released just one year prior.

This is first and foremost an album based around atmosphere, it is quite melodic with some of the songs even outright bordering on gothic metal (which is not at all uncommon within the Greek extreme metal scene). There is extensive usage of keyboards here, they appear on every track as they are an integral part of the sound and work very well to create a gloomy obscure aura. The guitars are influenced by classical heavy metal and are not typically aggressive, the riffs tend to have a more somber tone; I feel that they are a bit too low in the mix and are overshadowed by the keyboards and the drumming. The drums are dominant in the mix and feature quite a bit of blast-beats even over the more melodic riffs, as well as plenty of double-kick drumming, they do often vary in tempo and do well to keep the pace of the songs. The bass is unfortunately faintly audible, I tend to like my bass a bit higher in the mix, although from what I can tell the playing is perfectly adequate and supports the riffs. The vocals are higher pitched black metal-esque screeches and are full of passion, but are not very intelligible.

Where this album really excels is it's songwriting, the songs are all engaging and memorable and the albums flows quite smoothly with a good mix of faster songs and a few slower numbers. Darkness Incarnate, for example includes female vocals, which are quite tastefully done and really enhance the atmosphere of the song, without being overused. When Nightmares begins has, in my opinion the best usage of keyboards on the albums interspersed between the more aggressive blast-beat sections, they are full of gloom and melancholy. The Rape of Holiness, despite its title is actually one of the most melodic songs on the album and is a slower more gothic metal like tune, never really descending into any outbursts and is one of the best songs on the album. Other highlights include Dangers of a Real & Concrete Nature, and the more upbeat in the Horror Field. The aptly titled Afterkill is a short keyboard outro and a fitting end to an excellent album. There aren't any real weak tracks and the album is overall consistent throughout, not once have I ever got the urge to skip a track, my main complaints stem from the production as a feel the guitars are a bit thin and weak sounding, they're overpowered by the drums and even the keyboards.

This is an interesting album within the scene, it evolved the Hellenic sound even further although the album didn't get much recognition, which is a shame, as it really does deserve more exposure along with the greats such as Rotting Christ and Necromantia. This album is just full of passion, mood, and energy, all one could really ask for in an album of this style. This is one of those cases of a complete package, the album doesn't over-extend its welcome at a modest 38 minutes. Fans of Hellenic black metal will surely enjoy this, fans of the more symphonic type of black metal will also enjoy this one, however if you prefer your metal more aggressive and extreme you might want to pass on this one. Be sure to check out their next album Transmission to Chaos which keeps the spirit alive!

Though their demos and Revelation of Higher Mysteries EP had all the subtle sentimentality of a sawblade, Deviser would develop a more enduring style through the subsequent full-length albums, beginning with the proper debut, Unspeakable Cults in 1996. Here, the band have entirely not lost that belligerent edge, but molded it into a veneer more redolent of their Greek peers Varathron or Rotting Christ, with an increased use of atmospheric keyboards, slower and more potent riffing, multiple rasped and tortured vocals, and even some feminine backups dropped into several of the tracks ("Darkness Incarnate", etc) for an added dimension of elegance and despair.

The focus is still on centric, black/thrashing rhythms and tight, energetic drumming, butt here is a more solemn depth to the writing here than on the previous EP. "Stand & Deliver" teases us with this distant, driving intro before it erupts into a more volatile slew of blacker riffing, and you can immediately hear how this is one of the strongest Greek productions to date, with a vibrant and thick guitar tone and loud vocals somewhere between Varg Vikernes' screaming angst and Sakis Tolis' harsh bite. Several of the tunes are written in a more subdued, almost Gothic metal variation ("Threnody"), while several seem pretty close in feel to Rotting Christ ("Dangers of a Real & Concrete Nature") and would not have been alien to Non Serviam or Triarchy of the Lost Lovers. Two of my favorites are buried pretty deep in the track list, though: the desperate and thundering black metal instrumental "Ritual Orgy", and the tearful and memorable melodic inclinations of "The Fire Burning Bright".

It's not an entirely compelling experience, of course, and once one moves past the rock solid production aesthetics, it seems to dwindle (apart from a few of the tunes I mentioned). For one, the guitar riffs, while structured and competent, are just not always that catchy, fading in and out of attention with little to no means of resonance. I've found myself waiting for that key melody or explosive sequence to arrive, only to be let down. But they've certainly got most of the details correct: the vocals are quite vicious, the lyrics featured a good balance of forceful occult imagery and Gothic grotesque, and the very richness of the studio sound feels like a step forward for Greek black metal in general (following on the heels of Varathron's Walpurgisnacht). If you're into the stronger underground acts of that scene (Rotting Christ, Kawir, etc), then this would be worth checking out, but it was drowned out by the slightly more lethargic, yet unquestionably poignant Triarchy of the Lost Lovers.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com

Deviser is one of those Greek bands who play from the heart and have no intent on selling or being famous or showing off unnecessary elements to be "BAD" or "EVIL". With that said, I can easily say these Greeks create one of the most original sound to come out of Europe. Mixing Heavy Metal elements with very Epic passages they bring forth a very complete full length. By complete I mean, including all elements extreme music can deliver; female vocals, keyboards, excellent bass, excellent guitar work, clean vocals, screeches, blasts, tempo changes, great atmospheres and best of all, flawless production.

Starting off with a very simple track as a way of saying GET READY FOR THIS BITCHES!!! Simple but very catchy and creative. As the song kicks in you hear female vocals but at first you don’t know if its a piano or some sort of instrument because of the way it all comes together, its just unearthly. After this song we go to the purity of this band bringing an amazing masterpiece, also including female vocals. The tempo and rhythm changes here are just beautiful, that’s the word, BEAUTY. It all comes together to form one of the most powerful songs on this album. After this, we hear a song from the demo which by production and musicianship gets even better. The melodies here are infallible setting you into a very comfortable mood. After this song they show how special their musicianship is by delivering 4 new incredible songs, one of them a great instrumental. It really tells you how much thought they put into it as an instrumental since you can’t really imagine any vocals for it. The other 3 songs is where all the imagination goes. Very progressive and flow on a very elegant manner. The bass really stands out with very jazz based bass lines. Following comes the remake of another song from their demo, making it sounds just better, like the other one. Adding some extra riffing to it and some keyboards it takes the song to a next level. Then we have another great new song and an outro.

Lyrically these guys talk about the same old Satanist topic but its done on a very poetic manner, not on the immature and highschool-angry way American bands do it so that’s why I still give them the 100. I recommend this band, and specially this album, to any of you who would like to know the meaning of Elegancy!