Ritual Combat

Occultus Requiem

Hate War Records 2010

This American black metal war machine is a beast that foments terror with their merciless barbarity and clinical speed.  The first track is an ominous intro of distant pounding and crackling fire, painting a ruined battlescape.  Rapid time changes and a flurry of blast beats mimic the onslaught of a tank division as the cruelty of album opener Infernal Wolfpack begins its assault.  In some ways the music reminds me of Marduk at the most obscure.  The title track is just as furious with its icy riffing and rapid fire drum bursts.  The riffs on Circle of Nine are initially massive and slow but are quickly consumed by a torrent of rhythmic speed and unfeeling destruction, like the jackhammering of a battalion of machine guns unleashing a storm of steel.  Whereas Black Mirror Eternity's initial passage borders on atmospheric with its mesmerizing riffs.  However, that atmosphere is sacrificed on the altar of blinding speed.  When the atmospheric riffs resurface rumbling bass drums are added to the mix for pronounced effect.  The warlike focus of the music is mirrored in the hellish destruction of the album's closer, Division.  A brief respite is afforded the listener when atmospheric acoustic guitar and hypnotic beat are introduced within the framework of the track.  Psykho's vocals are grim and raspy.  Occultus Requiem is an album that is full of nonstop movement and spiked barbarity.  The songs become a stream of pulsing noise and terror inducing savagery.  Though with the reliance on such a constant demonic pace, the tracks do some blending together and the album is a nonstop assault on the eardrums.