CURSE: "Void Above, Abyss Below"

We all can name a million different Darkthrone clone bands in a moment’s time, but how many bands are out there heralding the aforementioned band’s Hate Them and Sardonic Wrath era? I believe we have at least one name now that Curse has come up with Void Above, Abyss Below, an album with the darkness of 90s’ black metal (and vocals so damn close to Nocturno Culto’s) but with the attitude of a demented old school thrash / punk affair.

From that perspective, Curse does very fine throughout the mid-tempo savage and simple power chord riffage, but once again it’s the compositional predictability that rises to be the album’s worst enemy at least on the first half of the record, though points can be given to the fact that the material is partially improvised with an on-the-go mentality. Considering that, the band has done quite a hell of a job with these 36 minutes that form the competetent whole of Void Above, Abyss Below.

To analyze the album’s (moderate) diversity further, there are certain moments - residing mostly in the album’s latter half - that part from the common paradigm, such as ”Infernal Visions” that meets more with the recent rocking Satyricon releases, and then there’s the surprisingly adventurous ”Painting the Devil on the Wall” that is laden with a great deal of lead melody. Not to be forgotten is also the album ender ”Priests of the Underworld” that utilizes choir style singing, synths and overall a tad more malicious atmosphere.

Of all the underground black metal albums of recent times,Void Above, Abyss Below doesn’t exactly rise to the top ranks (I could mention Tsorer’s Return to Sodom that still does things a little better) but the album does deliver its riffs in a very smooth and enjoyable manner that endures repeated listens, hence deserving a favorable score and a chance in the audio players of other lovers of punky old school black metal.

3 / 5

QUINTESSENCE MYSTICA: "The 5th Harmonic of Death"

Quintessence Mystica doesn’t much surprise on their debut album The 5th Harmonic of Death, comprising 11 tracks of symphonic black metal in a dry, crispy production. Musically, nothing out of the ordinary is provided, so that the album falls to the category of rather unremarkable melodic black metal records, unfortunately.

Melodies are always upfront here, usually consisting of various orchestral instruments instead of guitars - albeit some guitar solos appear for sure. The most I like the violins played on the record, they sound dusty and evil, like an old movie of which sounds were horribly gone wrong. This creates a nice vibe. But otherwise, it’s mostly basic synth tracks dominating the songs, being somewhat cheesy and powerless: indeed, almost nothing heavy is to be expected of the album as it’s so melodic. Removing the harsh screams, tremolo guitar picking and the rapid (programmed) drums would create a classical album of some sort, I guess.

Not to criticize the album with too heavy hand, The 5th Harmonic of Death has its moments, e.g. the epic album ending track ”Frankenwald Mystery” and various melody patterns that appear throughout the 43-minute album. But is it enough? For a rememberable album, no. But for a decent effort of quite basic symphonic black metal that satisfies the needs of the most devoted meloblack listeners, yes, I would suppose so. Another album is already in the making and here’s to hoping that it brings some fresh air to the composition department. On a positive side, I can mention that I’ve heard a lot worse album from this category lately (Conspiracy’s Irremediable), so that compensates a bit for Quintessence Mystica’s benefit. 

2,5 / 5