Opera
IX
Strix Maledictae In Aeternum
Agonia
Record
2012
Opera
IX are a long lasting cult of Italian black metal and have been
exporting their brand of atmospheric and mildly symphonic black metal
for over two decades. So where does Opera IX stand in 2012?
Strix finds these Italians with their craft honed and their
weapons sharpened over many years of refinement. 1313 is the
first real song on the album and creeps stealthily along at a
deceptively slow pace. The riffs serve as a backbone around which
synth dances and acoustic guitar is woven. The vocals are grim
and snarl with contempt. The pace quickens towards the song's
latter half and the song is draped in upwards arcing majestic keyboards
that hum with sinister intent. The next track Dead Tree Ballad
opens with a bouncing chug that shifts into atmospheric synth. At
this point the drum production really becomes a sore spot for me.
The bass drums really stick out in an awkward way. Thrashy
blasts of speed leap out as the song progresses. Gregorian chants
and a ritual beat announce Vox In Rama Part 1. A classy lead and
slowly paced vocals set the tone for the rest of the track. Vox
In Rama Part 2 thrusts forward with an imperial feel to the track.
A martial beat and robust synth accompany the imposing riffs.
However the drum production begins to rear its ugly head again.
And I am starting to feel like this album has a nondescript
personality. Nothing is really remaining in memory. For all
my positive feelings towards the early tracks there is not a lot in the
way of catchy or memorable songwriting. Also at an hour and nine
minutes the album is overly long and tends to leave the later songs
feeling flat. This can be a real problem with some bands because
with the extended length of an album the immediacy of the music becomes
lost. Strix is an album that fails to grab me. Opera IX has
been around for a long time and is obviously skilled at their craft,
however I feel they just didn't do it for me this time around.