2008 has seen a slew of new releases from the Deathspell Omega camp, with the two Manifestations compilations clearing out the band's archives for our listening pleasure, and now a new studio recording. Chaining The Katechon being released both separately, and as the first half of a split with fellow Frenchmen S.V.E.S.T. The EP, or first half, depending on which format you own this in, consists of one 22-minute behemoth of a black metal track. Lyrically, we're treated to the same gleefully perverse theology the band have been pushing since 2004 (though I'll admit since 2007's Fas, I've been unable to fathom whether their lyrics actually mean anything, or if the band are just using big words to impress me). Musically, it's a continuation of Fas, all discordant, wrong sounding riffs and furious drum battery. It's not really the step forward that Kenose was, but to call the band out on lack of progression would be churlish considering the sweeping changes the past four years have brought (Manifestations 2000-2001 seems like the work of an entirely different band in comparison).

This is one of the most anticipated black metal releases in a year which has brought efforts from many of the genre's most noteworthy acts, including Nachtmystium, Leviathan and Taake. So in an incredible year for black metal, do Deathspell Omega deliver? The answer, then, is a resounding yes. This is up there with Carnal Malefactor as one of the Deathspell Omega songs to end all Deathspell Omega songs. The band really throw everything they've got into this one, going from furious blastbeats to strange, off kilter grooves, vocals going from Clandestine Blaze throat Mikko Aspa's trademark growl to faint, ritualistic chantings and even recitations. It'd be nice to see some more of the gorgeous Gregorian chanting we saw on Carnal Malefactor, mind, as it's a criminally underused element in their sound. But then, Deathspell Omega are never ones to repeat themselves.

From it's skin-flaying opening to it's climax, Mikko Aspa chanting deliriously, almost as if he's possessed by the devil himself, Chaining The Katechon is nothing less than a triumph. Whereas the listener tends to flag over the length of a full album, the relentless pounding becoming slightly fatiguing, Chaining The Katechon's brevity works wonders. The listener is able to devote their full attention to the madness, and in doing so may well realize what a fine band Deathspell Omega are. Let's just hope their next album will be every bit as progressive and challenging.