Album Review: Lunar Spells – Sacraments of Necromantical Empires (Northern Silence Productions)

Formed in Athens in 2020, Lunar Spells delves deep into the essence of ‘old school’ Scandinavian black metal, both musically and lyrically, with themes revolving around darkness, depression, misanthropy, and hate. Their album ‘Sacraments of Necromantical Empires’ continues this tradition and will be released on March 1st, 2024, via Northern Silence Productions.

An icy blast from the past, with the production to boot, Lunar Spells are the epitome of black metal as it once was, and continues to be, to some degree. Harsh and horrible, but with underlying atmosphere and a clear dedication to the craft, it is an uncomplicated listen.

Which means you already know where you sit with this one. Hate the idea of shivering in the darkness as a wave of speedy noise washes over you again and again? Love the idea of being frozen to the core and left feeling pummelled? Lunar Spells offers black metal in its most primal form, and they are very capable of controlling the beast.

From a personal perspective, I am all in on this because I love the sound of old-school black metal and Lunar Spells are giving me ample reasons to enjoy this album.

However, there is a notable problem and it’s one that dominates across the entirety of the album. The drumming is really off, and it is downright infuriating after a while. Sounding like empty buckets are being hit a lot of the time, which does the speed and intensity of the playing no favours. For many, it could ruin the whole experience, even if the production does kind of bury them in favour of the guitars and vocals.

I hate talking about production. I rarely do it in my reviews, but it’s impossible to not comment on it here. Even if it may have been purposeful to capture a specific period in black metal history.

That’s that though, and I am going to wrap this up from the much-preferred positive angle, as I do really like this album overall. Lunar Spells do a damn fine job of making something so old-school, so compelling and I’ll never tire of hearing big blasts of howling hatefulness with layers of dark atmosphere. Something this album has plenty of.

Lunar Spells – Sacraments of Necromantical Empires Track Listing:

1. Eerie Nocturnal Shades
2. Necromantical Glorification
3. Sorcery of Death
4. Demoniac Chalice
5. Luciferian Twilight
6. Gloomy Necrotic Ritual

Links

Bandcamp