DEATHSPELL OMEGA — Kénôse (review)

DEATHSPELL OMEGA — Kénôse album cover EP · 2005 · Black Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Conor Fynes
'Kénôse EP' - Deathspell Omega (8/10)

Like almost all of my favourite bands, the enigmatic French black metallers Deathspell Omega have witnessed a great change in their sound from the early days. Arguably beginning in earnest with their third record 'Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice', Deathspell Omega set themselves very far apart from the typical black metal act through an avant-garde and distinctly progressive direction. Considered by the band to be an 'appendix' to that album, Deathspell's 'Kénôse' EP stands its own ground as yet another fantastic addition to this band's discography. Although it may certainly scare away most of black metal's puritanical elements, 'Kénôse' is a considerable chunk of thinking man's metal that exemplifies Deathspell Omega's inhuman grasp of controlled madness.

The most memorable aspect of this EP takes place at the very beginning, which may very well be considered 'satanic classical music'. A slow build-up uses a recurring theme, which eerie far eastern percussion in the background to create an ominous feeling long before the black metal instrumentation comes in. The build-up is done in such a way where it leads the listener to become very tense, wondering just when the band will break out into the inevitable metal slaughter. Then, using a dissonant and pleasantly horrific classical choral section as a segue, things erupt into a half hour surge of blast beats, oddly timed grooves, malefic snarls and highly unconventional composition.

One thing about Deathspell Omega is that much of their heavier music may be construed as noise to some, and this is no different with 'Kénôse'. The riffs are often so technical and fast, most black metal listeners will not be accustomed to such high intensity musicianship. However, the band remains uncompromising, letting their frightening and demonic sound mellow out only for some dissonant and chromatic pluckings here and there to create dynamic. It's actually in the less heavy sections here that Deathspell shines the best. Although they are masters of technical black metal and have a very unique sound, it often feels like there is too much being thrown at the listener at once, making it very difficult to make out any particular riff or musical idea without concentrating very steadily. Still, the extended five minute introduction to the world of 'Kénôse' is among the most powerful I have ever heard, and rivals any classical music I can think of in terms of its class and razor sharp intention.

A very challenging listen, but this EP is greatly rewarding to those that manage to hear through the seemingly muffled noise and into the wealth of grooves and bone-chilling atmosphere that Deathspell Omega enjoys here. Not recommended for the faint of heart.
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