Worm Gear

As we hit “play” on Inquisition’s 6th full-length decent into the not so distant realms of the unholy, it sets a mental image of the seal on this ancient document being broken. As it is opened, the malevolent forces explode from the pages with an urgent fury as if the imprisoned devils were tortured by the hex set to enslave them. Maddened by centuries of internment, the hordes take to the sky swarming to blot out the sun, then turn their torment on the living with viscous teeth and glistening claws eager to flay human flesh. And that is all contained with in track 1, “Force of the Floating Tomb”.

Obscure Verses for the Multiverse is by far the most intense opus in Inquisitions arsenal of devilry, as speed is the main delivery system for their twisted chord structures and endlessly evil atmosphere to send the listener off on an audial journey to gaze upon the lake of fire. Where tracks like the opener, Darkness Flows Towards Unseen Horizons, and many others revel in the unbridled intensity of blasting speed and tremolo based riffs that decay into noisey bends and sweeps that have become the mainstay characteristic of Inquisition’s style. No matter the speed being manipulated, what is a constant in Inquisition’s world is that the riffs remain impenetrable in their weird catchiness, which always makes their material engaging and memorable. Where Ominous Doctrines of the Perpetual Mystical Macrocosm relied more so on crawling blasphemies and a very bleak atmosphere, it was initially surprising to hear this much aggression on display. That and the fact that Dagon’s sinister croak sounds more like Immortal’s Abbath than ever before, this new album was admittedly a bit of a transition for me to get over. Once I adjusted to the more urgent delivery and songs that avoid long buildups to achieve a dark mastery, in favor of cutting to the point quickly and proficiently, the magical realm unlocked by Inquisition once again enchanted and hurled my soul into the vast portal of satanic majesty. As we sail through the firestorm, Inquisition do offer impressive slower tracks as Joined by Dark Matter Repelled by Dark Energy and the title track to demonstrate the diversity within their sound and songwriting style, and to nurture that brooding atmosphere that this duo have always been so proficient at cultivating. This album is a well considered and hungry display of a complete and unique songwriting vision that doesn’t deny its influences, but rather grows stronger because of them.

Sonically, Obscure Verses for the Multiverse is perhaps the brightest sounding album in Inquisition’s catalog, featuring a very full and lively production where every tom hit and obscure note buzzing within a chord can be felt and taken to heart. The cleanliness of the production may initially be a bit off-putting, but Inquisition’s overall independent sound triumphs and the obvious improvements in production act as a potent vehicle for this material to burrow down deep and stay with the listener to demand repeated journey’s to the chaos that is the Multiverse.

Obscure Verses for the Multiverse is yet another impressive release for Inquisition, a band that has never compromised their beliefs or overall songwriting vision to reach a wider audience. If anything, this deliberately conservative domination of their music has earned an army of devout followers and now their current union with Season of Mist undoubtedly raises their awareness on more of a global scale. Will the masses take to such a unique telling of such abysmal tales and become just as lost within the spell set forth by Obscure Verses as I have? Only time will tell. One thing is for sure, Inquisition will keep forging onward oblivious to outside influence and continue to stoke the chaotic flames of the end and look to the cosmos for their master to return. -Marty
Season of Mist

~ by martyworm on October 30, 2013.

Posted in ALL REVIEWS, I-reviews
Tags: Black Metal, Inquisition, Marty Rytkonen, Obscure Verses for the Multiverse, Season of Mist