In Dante’s Inferno, the second circle begins the proper punishment of Hell, a place where “no thing gleams.” It is reserved for those overcome with Lust, where carnal appetites hold sway over reason. In Nine Circles, it’s where we do shorter reviews of new albums that share a common theme.
This week’s edition of Second Circle examines two black metal albums that look beyond our world in diametrically opposed ways; one takes inspiration from far-off worlds and distant galaxies, the other a metaphysical descent into the black void beyond. Let’s ascend/descend alongside Imperialist and Lvthn and see have to offer.
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Imperialist have been an underground staple in the Los Angeles metal scene for a while now, yet I only managed to see them perform for the first time last year opening for Sacramentum. In contrast to similarly sci-fi/space-themed labelmates Vorga and their stellar symphonics, Prime sees Imperialist continue to hone their more melodically-inclined brand of black metal that takes hefty inspiration from thrash, both in the bouncy, staccato riffs (“I A.M.”) and drumming (when there’s not blast beats, of course). I’m reminded of labelmates Frozen Dawn and their 2023 album The Decline of the Enlightened Gods; while that album often felt like a thrash band that decided to abandon all syncopation in their riffs, Imperialist thread the needle by giving their riffs thrashier rhythms while still remaining within the gravitational pull of black metal.
“Cosmic” black metal such as Mare Cognitum and the aforementioned Vorga channel their stellar energy in spacey atmospherics and melodic tendencies that can only be described as spacey. With Imperialist the cosmic nature comes forth on tracks like “Beneath the Sands of Titan” through grand chord progressions that swiftly jump registers, or the solo section that gently floats along like a ship on the solar winds. Imperialist’s take on black/thrash is a far cry from the “hail Satan and drink beer!!!” attitude that often comes from this genre fusion, but like the astral themes is something grander and focused on catering to the strengths of both genres. With consistent energy and great riffs and solos abound, Prime is a solid album that will cater to Swedish melodic black and sci-fi thrash fans alike.
Prime will be available September 5 on Transcending Obscurity Records. For more information on Imperialist, check out their Facebook and Instagram pages.
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Nine years after their debut, Belgian act Lvthn return with a vengeance with The Devil’s Bridge, an infernal force that fits well within my interpretation of what has been called “orthodox black metal.” That is to say oppressive, chaotic black metal that feels like being dragged down to hell (alongside full-throated devotion to Lucifer) a la Deathspell Omega and their now numerous musical descendants. Arrows of Icelandic-tinged dissonance pierce a field of more straightforward “Norsecore,” an incessant stream of blast beats and an all-encompassing wall of chords. As dark and cacophonous as the sound of Lvthn is this isn’t technical in the same sense as the stereotypical sounds out of Iceland or DsO, but the dense production and unnerving chord choices are undoubtedly reminiscent of these tendencies.
“Cacodaemon” slows things down a bit with a hypnotic drum beat in a softer section providing a brief respite from the sky-darkening mass of sound, and “Mother of Abominations” takes the sound in a slightly psychedelic direction with eerie chords that float above the maelstrom, but make no mistake… a vast majority of this album is pure black metal rage and fury, as tortured vocals cut through the sonic storm with throat tearing screams and anguished shouts. Guiding the spirit to unknown lands beyond, the closing title track concludes the album with just about the only more melodically-structured chords, leaving it to fade into nothingness. The Devil’s Bridge doesn’t change the game in any manner. Yet in case there is need for a reminder of the darkness and evil hidden within the roots of black metal, Lvthn channel this energy quite well.
The Devil’s Bridge will be available September 6 through Amor Fati Productions. For more information on Lvthn, check out their Facebook page.
— Colin
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