arcane-beautiful
Kind word of warning...don't listen to this album when your hungover...like I am.
So it turns out Norwegians don't just make black metal...the Swedish too.
Musically...it's black metal. Full of fast minor chords, blast beats and harsh vocals. Emperor Magus' vocals are pretty impressive, with a lot of emotion put into his performances.
Usually with the black metal sound, I like it when bands do something a little different musically. This band on the other hand have their own sound. And they use that to a full effect. Sadly this is the only album I have of these guys, so I don't really have any other opinions on their other material...but overall...this is a pretty kick ass album.
Lyrically, the album deals with a lot of different topics. From evil wars, Antichrists, personal relationships with religion, hatred towards religion, sexual freedom, LaVeyan Satanism, S&M, Cannibalism, self harm, ritual suicide, sacrifice...it's pact full of your 5 Satanic fruit and veg.
By the way...if you are hungover...you will get tinnitus and a headache after listening to it.
1. King Antichrist – A brilliant and almost epic start to the album. Brilliant fast paced rhythms and impressive vocals from Emperor Magus. Also, this song states that sexual freedom is good...which is always nice to hear. 9/10
2. 666 Voices Inside – It's like a pop song...but done by a black metal band and about possession. Ok, it's not, but it has one of the strongest hooks on the album. 10/10
3. Attera Totus Sanctus – The title track. Reading the lyrics, I kind of see why Emperor Magus might hate religion so much. It's an interesting study of how he might have actually been religious at one point. Interesting topics covered. Only problem I have with it is that it goes on a bit too long. 8/10
4. Godhate – One of my favourite songs on the album. I love the story telling element of the song, and the hook kicks ass as well. 10/10
5. Atrum Regina – The album was full of vitriol and hate, which was enjoyable...and then this song came on. This has almost a ballad like nature to it (as ballad like as Black Metal can get). But...lyrically...the song is about blow jobs. I was finding this funny...and I think the band know this is supposed to be funny as well, which proves the dark sense of humour “Satantic” bands have. 9/10
6. Angel Flesh Impaled – An almost cheesy song, about a war with heaven, and demons and all thats stuff. Pretty cheesy, but fun nonetheless. 8/10
7. Feed On The Mortals – One of the more filler songs on the album. Meh, it's alright. 7/10
8. Final Ritual – An epic ending to the album. Lyrically it tells a very interesting story about suicide and sacrifice. Interesting topics covered. 9/10
CONCLUSION: I have to admit, when it comes to a black metal album, this is one of the best black metal albums I've heard in a while. It covers a lot of ground lyrically and emotionally. Musically it can be the same at times, but...it's black metal...what do you expect. Also, don't listen to it when you're hungover. It's noisy and mental.
8.1/10