They say good things come to those that wait. In the case of the new music from Denver’s death doom champions Spectral Voice, it has been nearly 7 years since their debut full length Eroded Corridors of Unbeing was released upon the masses. The band is made up of three members of Blood Incantation and one from Black Curse (a ridiculously good black/death band if you are not familiar) so you can see why there has been a slight delay between full lengths from the band.
Sparagmos is a four-track monster that clocks in at forty-five and a half minutes long. Three of the tracks are over 10 minutes long, which should tell you these guys are going to drag you along through the darkness and the muck without much chance to catch your breath.
Album opener “Be Cadaver” starts off slowly, as the listener starts the slow descent into the catacombs that Spectral Voice inhabit. Three minutes in is when drummer/vocalist Eli shrieks out from the darkness as one guitar appears ever so often over sporadic drumming. The second guitar joins moments later, and that eerie atmosphere gets dialed up to eleven. Finally, at about the six-minute mark, Spectral Voice kicks it into gear and start pummeling the listener with dueling guitars, bone shaking drumming and thick, oozy bass. I love the way these dudes change tempos on a dime, going from a more death metal tempo to the slow, plodding doom. The drumming and bell sounds that are towards the very end of the track are a great touch and feel like a warning to the listener for when they turn the corner into the next track.
“Red Feasts Condensed into One” starts off on fire, with the band firing at maximum speed for the first minute of the track until they slow it back down to a snail like pace. Around the four-minute mark, Eli gives a quick bark before one guitar comes in, warning the listener that danger lurks around the bend. The band leaps back to life, ripping into the listener with razor sharp riffs overtop drums that sound like they belong in a tribal sacrifice ceremony. During this onslaught, Eli snarls and growls like a rabid animal. I really love the reverb they add to his vocals. It makes it seem like he is chasing you around in the dark, with his voice echoing off the walls as you try to make your escape.
“Sinew Censer” is the shortest track of the four, clocking in at around seven and a half minutes. Don’t let the shorter runtime fool you, this track is still filled to the brim with vile death doom goodness. The track builds and builds and the filth laden chalice finally overflows near the end, covering the listener with ooze.
“Death’s Kneel Rings in Eternity” is the final nail in the coffin on this magnificent album that Spectral Voice has vomited out for us. The first quarter of track is on the doom end of the spectrum, slowly dragging the listener along for the ride. The track pick ups for a bit in the middle before descending back down into the doom and gloom. The track slowly winds down to near funeral doom tempo, finally leaving the listener a chance to reflect on the auditory onslaught they were just subjected to. A single bell tolls near the end of the track, signaling the end of the album. Another epic album from this quartet!
If you are into bands like Mortiferum, Void Rot and Krypts; give this monster of an album a listen. You will not be disappointed in the slightest!
- The Metal Architect
