Year: 2022
Total Time: 1:16:27
Label: Regain Records
From the pioneers of Scandinavian Melodic Death Metal, EUCHARIST never got the success they deserved since after 1993’s “A Velvet Creation” and 1997’s “Mirrorworlds” and several hiatuses / reconnections all these years, the velvety divorce with Daniel Erlandson finally happened leaving the band’s name in obscurity until recently, where the band’s mastermind Markus Johnson recruited Simon Schilling on drums, known from his time in PANZERCHRIST, MARDUK and BELPHEGOR, and decided to release new material.
In “I Am the Void”, EUCHARIST move away from the fields of Melodic Death Metal and intrude in those of Melodic Black Metal. The melodies are scattered everywhere but what comes out is a cold clinical feeling, especially in the riff-ology, aided by Schilling’s solid playing but also inspired by an old school aesthetic, not disclaiming the band’s past. EUCHARIST were unconventional and aggressive from the beginning, they remain as they are and evolve being sharper, dynamic and cold. They also introduce the early Scandinavian Black element in their compositions like in “Goddess of Filth” and “Mistress of Nightmares” (is it a coincidence that they refer to female demonesses?) but also samples of Epic and Atmospheric Black in “In The Blaze of the Blood Red Moon” and in the title track. Johnson has become more caustic, vitriolic and spits the lyrics with disgust and abomination, thus giving the stigma of EUCHARIST’s new course in the oceans of Metal.
As the album unfolds, the compositions become bigger, more complex and at the same time they exude ambition and confidence, with “In The Heart Of Infinity” and “Darkness Divine” being typical examples. But, to be honest, 12 compositions not so different from each other are too much, and “I Am the Void” tends to become tedious, at least to my ears. Certainly there are compositions that were not necessary to be included in the final track list, as they don’t seem to serve any role in understanding any concept.
After 25 years of silence, EUCHARIST decided to change category and chose to face bands like DARK FUNERAL, WATAIN and NAGLFAR in their newest edition.If anything it was a brave decision, but the case of “consolidation” seems extremely difficult. The fans of the Death Metal period may be a little disappointed, but “I Am the Void” has several moments that will satisfy them. I can’t wait to see where this new path will lead! Moreover, since A CANOROUS QUINTET and ABLAZE MY SORROW have been reactivated, maybe it’s time for THRONE OF AHAZ to get back in the game!
Rating: 6.5/10
Editor: Dimos Karadimos
Related Link: EUCHARIST – Official Page
