Reviews
NIGHTMARE EFFIGY “Horrors of the Flesh” Demo
(2024; Independent)
[Taken from Spectral Sorcery, Issue #5, Autumn MMXIV A.Y.P.S.]
NIGHTMARE EFFIGY west-coast black metal act that debuted this year with an EP on Nocturnal Dissonance prior to this demo’s [so far] digital-only release. I put on the intro and immediately
was pleasantly surprised by what looked like a pretty par-for-the-course modern raw black metal solo project.
You’re first greeted by some eerie synths which are suddenly overtaken by harmonized guitar leads and a plodding drum machine which then transitions nicely into the first of two “real”
tracks, “Paranoia Under a Dying Sun” and “Waking Night Terror.” Both of these tracks are 4-5 minutes of solid melodic riffs with a straightforward modern sensibility. There’s a dark
romanticism to the melodies written with a good taste for dissonance and harmony.
My main criticism of this project is that it doesn’t stand out among all the other dozens of “Bandcamp black metal” projects with more or less the same songwriting, visual aesthetic, and
production style. It’s almost exceptional, but not quite. There’s nothing wrong with that, especially in a genre as notoriously homogenous as this, but if NIGHTMARE EFFIGY pursues a ful
-length effort, I recommend adding a bit more variety in their sound and focus on making their music stand out just a bit more.
МЁРЗЛОСТЬ / ПОЛЧИЩЕ "Инфернализм" Split
(2025; Independent)
[Taken from Spectral Sorcery, Issue #7, Spring MMXXV A.Y.P.S.]
This is a split (“Infernalizm”) between two Russian acts, whose latinized names I believe are MERZLOST and POLCHISHCHE, respectively. I haven’t heard of either of the bands before, and I
can’t find much information about them online, but I was made curious to see more of what’s going on in the Russian scene once I saw this split announced. We begin with a dark synth intro,
setting an appropriate tone for the next 24 minutes. МЁРЗЛОСТЬ’s songs feel very raw and old-school, but in a 2000’s sort of way. They sound like they were recorded to tape and then
digitized on a Nokia phone, very fitting for this style. The music feels very lively and rehearsed—you feel like you’re right in the room with the band. It’s midpaced, raw, and heavy. Very
straightforward and uncomplicated, but very enjoyable. ПОЛЧИЩЕ’s music is more on the experimental side of things, with some synths (or some other unintelligible instrument) mixed in
overtop the relentless blastbeats and blaring guitar riffage, creating a wall of sound that contrasts nicely with the previous side. Nothing revolutionary, but it’s nice to see Russian BM
get some attention here in the West, at least online.
Mournful Moon - "Twilight, My Passion" LP
(2025; His Wounds/GoatowaRex)
[Taken from Spectral Sorcery, Issue #7, Spring MMXXV A.Y.P.S.]
Modern Hellenic legend MOURNFUL MOON returned this year, after releasing the classic “...As Shadows Fall Over Zenitheaen” and a debut full-length three years ago.
This time, the style has shifted even further in the gothic metal direction, while of course still retaining the signature triumphant synthwork and flowing guitar
riffage which define M.M.’s work. The synths overlayed on top of and in sync with the lead guitars really elevates the melodies and makes it stand out from other more
generic black metal. It’s honestly more of a symphonic gothic metal work with some black metal influence especially with the vocals and drums. The vocals are sick and
nasty, and the drums are played live with ample skill and precision, playing blastbeats and slow sections and everything in between. There’s nothing terribly
experimental or extreme (in fact it’s a rather tame style), but it’s nonetheless heavy and very well put together. The compositions flow nicely from one to the next
with good track sequencing to allow each song to stand on its own while still retaining an identity as part of the whole album. This band fills the void left after
the decline of the Y2K-era gothic black metal that won the mainstream over after crawling out of the underground. Total support! -Lolth
HAEMOPTYSIS/EYES IN DARKNESS WITHOUT FORM/YEW/CALLING OF PHASMIC PRESENCE - “Cadavre Exquis: Faces of the Drawn and Quartered Moon” Split
(2024; Malevolent Relics)
[Taken from Spectral Sorcery, Issue #6, Winter MMXXV A.Y.P.S.]
Malevolent Relics is the new home for the best experimental dark music being crafted in the modern era. All of the acts on their roster are selection with extreme discretion, and they all
fit together with a cohesive—but not too samey—artistic vision.
Cadavre Exquis is a four-part work, with each of the bands contributing one of the movements. We open with a track by HAEMOPTYSIS, a haunting cacophony of noise and black soundscapes. I
wouldn’t call it black metal per se, but it definitely appeals to that style. As with much of the rest of this split, it feels like something in the vein of Les Legiones Noires,
specifically the more experimental projects like TORTURE or AÄKON KËËTRËH. This sets the stage very aptly for the following three tracks, which range in style but all convey the same dark
occult mood. Broken harpsichords and whirling organs sound over discordant guitars and plodding drums. Eerie is the best word I could use to describe this album. It’s ABRUPTUM meets
BRENORITVREZORKRE and everything in between and some other shit too. Everyone involved has something uniquely strange and abrasive to offer. I honestly can’t recommend this enough. -Lolth