Dusk 

Book of Satan

Satanic Propaganda Productions 2011

Book of Satan represents Hungarian black metal devotees Dusk's seventh full-length album.  However, this is my first exposure to them.  This six song album is an atmospheric contemplation on Satan worship as a religious experience.  The album opener To Call Him And To Reach Him is a trance inducing repetition of tribal drum patterns and rough vocal chants which are tempered by symphonic synth.  His Might takes things further by bringing the guitars further into the foreground though they are somewhat overpowered by the evocative synth.  The way the guitar melodies and keys are written I am reminded of Thy Mighty Contract era Rotting Christ.  The vocals though are more akin to a muted version of Big Boss from Root.  He Is The Aim continues on this narrow musical path of melodic guitars and hypnotic synth.  The vocals are slightly deepened and blurred and remind me of chanting Tibetan monks.  That really hits home the point of this album, to really focus on Satan and achieve a mental state to where you are open to him, a ceremonial union with Satan if you will.  His Ancient Damnation brings the ceremony to a close.  The cold, atmospheric keys are reminiscent of some of Burzum's work, though more polished and covered by the grim, chanting vocals.  The vocals are so monotone they become almost transcendent and enhance the musical experience, providing a focal point for your restless mind.  Dusk's Book of Satan musically for me is a strange amalgam of Rotting Christ mixed with modern Master's Hammer and Root.  Not regular listening, but a nearly ambient journey into an abyss that stares back.