A few months ago I tried to broaden my horizons in Black Metal by asking some of our always knowledgeable forumites about Slavic Black Metal. Knowing much about the majesty of Drudkh, I felt prepared to absorb any information I would receive. I had no idea that Roman Saenko and the other stalwarts of Drudkh had so many great side projects, and I was very unaware of the prowess of Ukraine specifically as a stronghold of Black Metal. My immediate perception was that all of the side projects would be similar in nature to Drudkh but I was very wrong. While some bands such as Hate Forest have hypnotic properties, the variation and quality displayed by many of these Ukranian bands was a welcome sign. After reading some spotty suggestions and the consistently unreliable and unprofessional user submitted Encyclopedia Metallum reviews I bought Acme Adeptum by Lucifugum on a whim in San Francisco. It was $7.99 and I wanted to take a pot shot and use the money I had amassed to take a gamble. Fun right? Well, after a few listens through, I have mixed reviews at best with this album. Lucifugum have gone through several lineups at times having a live drummer. Strangely enough, the latest lineup features a married couple. Stabaath (the wife) handles vocals, strings, dishes, dinner, and child bearing duties, while Khlyst writes the lyrics, programs the drum machine, keeps the yard clean, takes out the trash, and mows the lawn.

Acme Adeptum is strongest in a few points, but weak in many others. The fact that one member plays all live instruments is frustrating. How does one call himself the man in the relationship if he writes the lyrics and programs the computerized drum machine? Marital roles aside, this my only exposure to Lucifugum and while I definitely can't say I'm pleased, I surely cannot be completely disappointed. The lyrics and song titles are in Russian, so this review is going to be a copy and paste nightmare. Acme Adeptum does not have to be one of those reviews where I use all kind of natural imagery or fancy similies and metaphors. It doesn't have to be a long one, because Lucifugum do too much of the same thing, and while they're doing it they evoke a dirty, filthy, dark, and evil feel during Acme Adeptum. Starting with Тризна-хула, a track that begins with tremolo picked riffs by Stabaath over programmed gravity blasts which sounds very confusing at first before the same riff or similar is laid over a simple double bass drum beat that sounds nice when played together.

The guitar tone is very spooky and dark, almost sounding like this album could be the soundtrack to a slasher film. This first track is really nice, but it bears too much of a similarity to the rest of the album, and that's where the greatest shortcoming on Acme Adeptum arises. Not in the quality of the songs, but that the entire album is pretty much the same type of song, same tremolo style riffs, same average female vocals etc.

Later on in the album, Stabaath's vocals actually get better. They have more form and are fuller sounding. The next good song on the album after a few drab ones is Комфортутоптанноймогилы. All the riffs seem to have a better quality, the drums are arranged well, and the vocals are more wholesome. This track and the first are the only two real highlights, as after a while, the music just gets boring. One or two songs in a row are great, but 40 plus minutes can get to me. Overall Lucifugum providing a nice album, but can't keep their catchy tunes from remaining in my player, as it's just too much of the same thing.

PS - The cover art is pretty awesome...