Cult of Fire – मृत्यु का तापसी अनुध्यान
Have a hankering for sitars? Ancient Vedic chants? An album with title and tracks written in Sanskrit? Curious what sounds evoke worship of the Goddess of Death? Then embark on an (English translation follows) Ascetic Meditation of Death with Cult of Fire. Regard मृत्यु का तापसी अनुध्यानa powerful black metal blitzkrieg of sight, sound, and mind fired with furor from the Czech Republic. The approach taken conceptually is, of course, a fresh (hell of) one, drawing you in firstly with simply fantastic cover art, a presentation of Kali in all her terror-inspiring majesty courtesy of David Glomba. And that word – ‘majesty’ – defines the whole of this album, for the music of मृत्यु का तापसी अनुध्यान conveys a certain cosmic regality and grandeur. While listening to the album’s eight occult offerings, replete as they are with the aforementioned dark mantras and Hindustani instrumentation (note: neither bury the black metal assault), I could easily imagine the praises accompanying the Destructress on her world-ending tasks. Cult of Fire do not, however, rely solely on Southern Asian influence and means of expression – organ plays a prominent role on the album, adding a progressive rock feel in dabs and dollops succeeding far better than its employ on other recent black metal albums (such as God Seed’s debut last year). I prefer clean piano myself, and here again Cult of Fire do not disappoint: on fourth track ४. काली मां (Black Mother), the sorrow and longing already firmly established with guitar and atmospheric synth earlier in the track is sculpted further with an expert scamper across the ivory and ebony that will leave you wistful for whatever lurks in your own dark hollows.
But what of the traditional black metal armaments? Vocalist Devilish, along with Infernal Vlad (also of Maniac Butcher and Death Karma) expectorate black metal screams and gargles that blend surprisingly well with the monastic/monotone chants of Ascetic Meditation of Death. The tremolo guitars remain steadfast throughout all the outward ancient meanderings, and in truth are the fiery heart of each composition. The production can be best be described as resolute and sharp. The drums hammer and rock in equal measure. What else is needed?
Among the other significant black metal releases this Fall (Inquisition!), do not let मृत्यु का तापसी अनुध्यान escape your heretical sight. That rarity of rarities – a black metal album with its own musical voice, visual statement, and lyrical focus – awaits your ritual pleasure this November. -Jim
Iron Bonehead Productions
Worm Gear 