The Axis of Perdition - Tenements of the Anointed Flesh [Code666 - 2011]British experimental black metal band, The Axis of Perdition, have been around since 2002. Since then they have released a handful of full length albums, each having a distinctly moody and subterranean black metal meets industrial atmosphere. They are also part of a group of black metal musicians that are constantly pushing the boundaries of the black metal “sound”. While listening to Tenements of the Anointed Flesh bands like Emperor, Blut Aus Nord, Gnaw Their Tongues and Deathspell Omega easily come to mind. Admittedly when listening to the first few songs it seemed a bit lackluster. Yes there is incredible drumming, extremely technical, fast time signatures and intricate guitar playing, but it seemed a little repetitive. Then “The Flesh Spiral” in all its insane drum rhythms and dissonant chords came crashing in. That was soon followed by the melodic “The Changer” with its fantastic mixture of gloomy dark ambience and disturbing choir strengthened by slower pace that metamorphoses into a cacophony of blurring speed. “Ordained” is another gem, somber keyboards introduce a more hard rock sounding (maybe inspired by Tool?) piece. This is also a song that featured clean singing, which here sounds incredible.
Vocally Tenements of the Anointed Flesh is an assortment of styles. Almost everything is here, clean singing, screeches, growls and spoken word too. As a group they are superb musicians and composers, technical to the point of being perfect, yet able to convey the dark, decaying mood that permeates throughout.
Don’t judge this cd by the initial songs. It may seem like a slow build but it is a complex work, let it take you through the dissonant sounds and disturbingly hypnotic tones. Their latest piece should appeal to those craving their black metal heavy on the dark ambient atmosphere, which here is found aplenty. Viktorya Kaufholz
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