The second full-length from French one-man-project Esoctrilihum is an ode to the abyssal pantheon that the sole member, Asthâghul, has crafted in his own demented mind. Thus, Pandaemorthium sounds as grandiose as the fictional Blind Sovereigns it praises.
There is an overarching sense of malignance that pervades Pandaemorthium, as Asthâghul implements dense layers of effects that result in a veritable miasma of hostile atmosphere. "Abyssus Caliginum" is a masterful example of esoteric black death, demonstrating Asthâghul's skills in composition as well as instrumentation, with sudden outbreaks of airy drum interludes that bleed with progressive technicality, while vocals shift between spectral hisses and death growls. But "Lord of the Closed Eyes" opts for a more straightforward, pummelling assault.
However, in particular with "The Holocaust of Fire in the Temple of the Red Oracle," the synthetic instrumentation can become obvious, and even detracts from the punch of the music. That track, strangely more than any other, is a glaring exception to the uniform polish of the rest.
Pandaemorthium is a monolith of material, as nearly every track seems meticulously crafted and in some way unique, whether in style, sounds or nebulous layers. Pandaemorthium shares similarities with Leviathan's most recent output, Scar Sighted, as one man at the helm does not hinder expansive visions.
(I, Voidhanger Records)There is an overarching sense of malignance that pervades Pandaemorthium, as Asthâghul implements dense layers of effects that result in a veritable miasma of hostile atmosphere. "Abyssus Caliginum" is a masterful example of esoteric black death, demonstrating Asthâghul's skills in composition as well as instrumentation, with sudden outbreaks of airy drum interludes that bleed with progressive technicality, while vocals shift between spectral hisses and death growls. But "Lord of the Closed Eyes" opts for a more straightforward, pummelling assault.
However, in particular with "The Holocaust of Fire in the Temple of the Red Oracle," the synthetic instrumentation can become obvious, and even detracts from the punch of the music. That track, strangely more than any other, is a glaring exception to the uniform polish of the rest.
Pandaemorthium is a monolith of material, as nearly every track seems meticulously crafted and in some way unique, whether in style, sounds or nebulous layers. Pandaemorthium shares similarities with Leviathan's most recent output, Scar Sighted, as one man at the helm does not hinder expansive visions.
