Deathspell Omega - Kénôse
Norma Evangelium Diaboli
Black Metal
3 songs (36:19)
Release year: 2005
Official Bandcamp, Norma Evangelium Diaboli
Reviewed by Daniel
Album of the month

Last year Deathspell Omega released one of the most powerful Black Metal albums of the last years. Si Monvmentvm Reqvires, Circvmspice was not only an amazing showcase of personal evolution, but also became an immediate landmark for Black Metal, a monolith of such dimensions and power no one could overlook it. Si Monvmentvm Reqvires, Circvmspice was the first part of a trilogy and when Deathspell Omega announced that a new album would be released in 2005 all the Black Metal community could only wait to hear what everyone expected to be another masterpiece. So one year later we receive the new Deathspell Omega opus, Kénôse and I must say it’s another immense album.

It should be noted that Kénôse is not the second part of the trilogy that started with their previous album, but an appendix to it; I guess it could be said that this album is part 1-B. As the appendix this album is, the music could be described as an extension of Si Monvmentvm Reqvires, Circvmspice, which in essence follows the vein of Deathspell Omega’s previous effort while at the same time exploring new territories; perhaps this album could be a bridge between part one and two in musical terms.

Consisting only of three songs although clocking over 30 minutes, Kénôse presents everything that we loved of the previous album: the bizarre riffing, the powerful percussive section and the religious atmosphere (although in less extent).

The musicianship is perfect like in the last album and the song writing is amazing. What I found the most amazing feature in the album is how they have managed to create a very deep feeling of oddness. Let me explain; has it ever happen to you that you are doing something that you usually do, something of your routine but for some certain reason it just feels odd this time? It just feels uncomfortable and it makes you feel terribly bad? It’s like knowing something is not right, but not knowing exactly what's wrong. Well Deathspell Omega manage to create that feeling in their music, that feeling that makes it uncomfortable and that forces your senses to try to figure out what is disturbing them so much, and it’s something so powerful it will grab you and amaze you listen after listen. I simply can’t understand how a band can manage to create such deep emotions through their music, it’s simply amazing. Add to that awkward feeling some of the most sick sounding riffing I’ve ever heard and you have one of the most sense-raping albums I’ve heard in a long long time. Expect everything from the classic Black Metal elements to some very original passages that mix arpeggios and dissonant notes among many other features. In general a very disturbing and powerful experience. Present also in this album, there are some amazing Doom-like moments that help build the ambience and that simply work perfectly giving it an even more dynamic feeling.

Once again Mikko Aspa of Clandestine Blaze is present in the album, and I think his performance here is more powerful than in the previous album and probably the best in his entire career. In the previous album he was present in the form of a “narrator”, but this time he delivers a more passionate execution of vocals.

The production in this album is the same of the last album, very clear and most importantly very organic, thing that enhances the listening experience even more and which works perfectly with the many facets of the album. The Black Metal madness, the Doomesque decay and the disturbing “tranquil” passages all shine under the excellent and fitting production.

Deathspell Omega are without a doubt one of the most powerful forces in Black Metal. Not only they master the art, but also challenge it by pushing the envelope further with every release. Black Metal can’t get any better than this.

Killing Songs :
All.
Daniel quoted 95 / 100
Other albums by Deathspell Omega that we have reviewed:
Deathspell Omega - The Long Defeat reviewed by Goat and quoted 85 / 100
Deathspell Omega - The Furnaces of Palingenesia reviewed by Goat and quoted 90 / 100
Deathspell Omega - Drought reviewed by Charles and quoted no quote
Deathspell Omega - Paracletus reviewed by Charles and quoted 92 / 100
Deathspell Omega - Veritas Diaboli Manet In Aeternum: Chaining The Katechon reviewed by James and quoted no quote
To see all 9 reviews click here
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