It has been a long six years since we last heard from cryptic noise warriors Teitanblood, and a longer eleven years since we covered the Spaniards here at MetalReviews. Perhaps down to a weariness of the style, perhaps down to how inherently effective the band are at creating terrifying soundscapes that scrape the soul and harry the ears; either way, initial listens to From the Visceral Abyss, the band's fourth full-length since forming in 2003, are immediately devastating, and the album continues to give of itself generously on each try.

There are differences from previous works, not least a clearer production and a greater focus on guitarwork to result in an album that feels more riff-focused and violent, relying less on ambience to convey their bleak atmosphere. Those who prefer vague ominousness for physical violence may recoil a little, yet Teitanblood are still highly effective at creating aural darkness - even as you're headbanging to, say, the wild soloing and chaotic speed metal riffage of the title track's final moments.

For sure, this is headbangable stuff, still metal at its core. Of course the ambience is there, creepy and disorienting, especially when given free reign on interlude sevenhundreddogsfromhell. Yet elsewhere the pounding is distinctly heavy metal-shaped, not least the crashing opening to Strangling Visions with its rampaging drums and galloping rhythms, guitars downright thrashing later in the track. It's effective at a relatively short (for this band) five minutes' length, although Teitanblood do their best work at longer paces, such as fifteen minute finale Tomb Corpse Haruspex.

Here the band are at full power, a brief ambient opening soon joined by ominous doom-drenched riffs, building to raging blackened chaotic darkness, a storm that you can only shelter from and hope it passes soon. Like all storms it does die down a little, fading to a more progressive section dominated by desolate chords and intricate drumwork from the always impressive J. As it progresses some (synthesised?) brass instruments join the storm, echoing in the distance as through thick fog, as though some occult procession is passing by, unseen but heard. That is only heightened by the closing ambience, bells dolefully tolling intermittently atop buzzing strangeness and murky voices.

Yet wherever you look, From the Visceral Abyss impresses. The seamless way that And Darkness Was All connects to the tracks surrounding it, heavy and powerful, champing at the bit to be released from its shackles and then rampaging powerfully when it does. Enter the Hypogeum's swirling, entrancing opening that threatens so much and delivers so well when it launches. Sepulchral Carrion God, monolithic and stern initially with its slow, doomy tread, furious and storming later, like the deity of its title awoken and hungry. Despite their lengthy absence from our memories and ears, Teitanblood are still the masters of this style, and From the Visceral Abyss is yet another onyx gem in their discography - perhaps not to all tastes, but those in the know will cherish this as it deserves.