Symphonic black metal is a specific branch of the genre, which not everyone can master and present in a sufficiently creative and proper way. Over the years I’ve listened to hundreds of albums from almost every corner of the world, but one has always drawn me like a magnet – Norwegians Limbonic Art’s 1996 classic, “Moon in the Scorpio”. The song of the same name is an anthem for almost every new or full moon, as the power of the atmospheres that Limbonic Art portrays has always been like emerging from ancient and long-forgotten worlds, ready to stretch the imagination in unimaginable ways.
And although the band has long been operating as a solo project, Daemon’s musical offspring still fervently seeks and stalks like a predator in the dark for new domains among unknown dimensions, as the heart of Limbonic Art never changes significantly over the years, even if there are some changes in the production and the sound itself, mainly in the use of symphonic elements.
Limbonic Art’s ninth full-length album will be released on June 28th via Kyrck Productions & Armour. And where the project’s last full-length album “Specter Abysm” from 2017 felt somewhat sterile and failed to grab me completely, its successor “Opus Daemoniacal” erupts and impresses. The work has a lot more symphonic elements and catchy melodies, the vocals feel more old school and ferocious to me, mixed perfectly for my taste with the instrumentals and sounding like the roar of a dragon just released from heavy shackles.
Intensity, classical melodicity and raw empowering energy are
perhaps the key words for the new Limbonic Art album, with some of
the tracks making references to some of the project’s most glorious
times. Especially when it comes to songs like “Deify Thy Master”,
where the atmosphere is heartbreakingly majestic – waves of
choruses, a massive wall of crushing instrumentals and symphony
surrounded by ferocious vocals. Listening to this song, you just
sink into the Art and let the mental pictures pour out one after
the other. Immersed in this inspiration, the album offers seven
demonic anthems filled with feverish riffs, energetic and sharp
appeals, imposing symphonic atmospheres and an alluring veil of
mysticism, pulling in a common grip towards dark ethereal
realities.
No less impressive is the song “I Am Your Demon”, which sounds like
a real-time demonic possession. This is perhaps the song where
Vidar “Daemon” Jensen’s vocals are most emotionally charged, and
the experience well compensates for the slight irritation from the
more intrusive programmed drums.
Within about fifty minutes you will have the opportunity to immerse
yourself in the well known atmosphere of Limbonic Art, as in the
same time the record is produced a little bit differently and
seems to bring a more raw experience than before.
The dragon’s scales glinted in the moonlight and Limbonic Art took off with delight on its wings into the unknown and alluring wilds of the tempting Devil Art. Dark, mysterious and with a grand sweep, ‘Opus Daemoniacal’ stands proudly as another gem in the Norwegian legend’s discography, one that you’ll find yourself lost in, wishing for more and more of its wistful visions.
Album: “Opus Daemoniacal”
Band: Limbonic Art
Release Date: June 28th, 2024
Label: Kyrck Productions & Armour
Pre-order: http://lnk.spkr.media/limbonic-art-opus
Mother of THE VOID.
Underground music is the ultimate weapon against mediocrity.
