Überchriist : "Dæmonic Apotheosis"

 

Atlanta is not known for its black metal. This makes the band an anomaly outside of, perhaps, Cloak. They play it pretty safe. However, what they do get right is the mood and darkness black metal is meant to convey. The mix and production help the rather dry rasp of the vocals. The guitar harmonies are where they shine; the second song gains its footing but does not have as much of its own personality as the first song. Much of the presentation makes me wonder how serious they are about this, but "Vicissitude ov Fate" feels more earnest. 

When they resort to less mood and just resort to blast beats, then the results are less compelling. This is the case with "Tomb Creeper".  "Faith in Darkness" could be just dramatics for the sake of drama, as truth be told, I never met many Satanists in Atlanta. No, the Satanic Temple does not count. Lyrically andd sonically, it feels like they are trying to be Dissection here. But it works better than the previous song. "Black Void" is very deliberate, and it great, punchy compact songwriting where they go into "Subterranean Goat Transfiguration" with more death metal aggression and sprawl out into a moodier expanse. 

There is more of an old school metal gallop to "Everdark Calling' which makes sense given the song's title for it too take on a more Immortal-like cadence. "Awakening Ancient Power" has more groove until the verse kicks in. Then it feels like they are defaulting to the typical expectation of black metal, while leaving you waiting for the opening riff to kick back in . The last song opens with a darker more melodic atmosphre. It's a gradua;l build but they make more of an efofrt to maintain a melodic sense to this even if the vocals just snarl along.Even if the irony is lost on me andd this just playing dress up the songwriting works and they do not just blast beat their way through everything and make this a memorable listen which is more than can be siad of the hunddreds of truv raw black metal bands I delete from my inbox after being bored in the first song so I will give these guys a 9.5, they surprised me and are worth a listen.  

7.7