An-Xul is an Italian Black Metal act. On November 29th 2024, An-Xul released their “self-titled” debut full-length album, which was released through Chaos Records and promoted through GlobMetal Promotions.
An-Xul Social Links
An-Xul, An-Xul Review: This review will evaluate every aspect of the album, from its intricate musical composition to its production. Our analysis will provide valuable insights to help you determine if this album is worth adding to your collection.
The First Three Sins of An-Xul
Let’s start by discussing the first three sins of An-Xul and their self-titled album
The First Sin, The Strings/Keys: Showcases dark, heavily distorted riffs paired with intricate solos, blending intense and aggressive passages with haunting melodies, crafting an atmosphere that is both chilling and aggressive. The synths weave a haunting backdrop that deepens the dark, mystical themes of their songs. The Second Sin, The Vocals: Involves harsh, guttural vocals intensify the overall aggression, perfectly harmonizing with the heavy instrumentation… The Third Sin—The Percussions: The drums are a force of nature, relentless in their drive, propelling the sound forward while amplifying the band’s raw, chaotic sound.
The Fourth Sin: Overall Discussion:
Malevolent themes of Satanism, the occult, the annihilation of humanity, resulting in a compelling and immersive experience for the listener.
Upon the listener’s engagement with the play button, the introductory track Tem.Ohp.Ab. (Intro) envelops them in a powerful soundscape characterized by thunder and rain, accompanied by an instrumental prelude. This is succeeded by the second track, Decent Through A Ghostly Maelstrom, along with nine additional pieces that guide the listener through a lyrical exploration of themes such as Satanism, the occult, and the annihilation of humanity. The compositions are crafted to be both intellectually stimulating and sonically impactful, immersing the listener in a realm of darkness and despair.
An-Xul presents an intense sonic experience lasting over forty minutes, comprised of eleven tracks, including the nearly two-minute piece titled The 7 Stages Of Dying. Prepare to be enveloped by the unyielding darkness of An-Xul, a formidable new entity in the black metal genre, formed by accomplished musicians from the extreme metal landscape. Featuring L. Plaguer (Xpus, ex-Unholy Land) on bass and vocals, M.T. (Mortuary Drape, Dark Redeemer) on drums, and A. Nacht (Xpus, Dark Redeemer) on guitars, the band crafts a sound that is both fierce and atmospheric, channelling the raw vitality of classic black metal while incorporating contemporary elements.
An-Xul emerges as a vibrant fruit of art tapestry, intertwining lyrical depth with musical prowess and the fruit of art devilmanship. This composition not only introduces listeners to a fresh act, but also potentially unveils new artists and bands. Within this artistic creation, the instrumental arrangement oscillates between frenetic, brutal segments and hauntingly melancholic, rhythmic interludes, ensuring the audience remains captivated. The guitar work showcases dark, heavily distorted riffs paired with intricate solos, crafting an atmosphere that is both chilling and aggressive. The album’s foundation is anchored by complex bass lines that evoke a sense of darkness and introspection throughout the music. The drums are a force of nature, relentless in their drive, propelling the sound forward while amplifying the band’s raw, chaotic essence, making each note resonate with impact. While one might expect a raw and brutal black metal experience devoid of synthesizers, An-Xul surprises with their inclusion. The synths weave a haunting backdrop that deepens the dark, mystical themes of their tracks, particularly evident in the seventh piece, The 7 Stages Of Dying. The harsh, guttural vocals intensify the overall aggression, perfectly harmonizing with the heavy instrumentation to create an unforgettable auditory experience.
In the vibrant world of An-Xul, the artistry transcends mere instrumental prowess, weaving together intricate compositions and musical scores that captivate the mind while delivering an auditory onslaught. This creation showcases a fruit of art devilmanship in songwriting and boasts a robust production that resonates within the soundscape of the recording. The clarity of the publication is evident, yet it retains a raw, old-school essence that flows seamlessly from the second track to the tenth, ensuring an authentic listening experience.
An-Xul’s debut is definitely worth checking out for its powerful music and evocative artwork – for fans of Mortuary Drape, Kawir, Disharmony, and Varathron
The album comes to an end with the last song, Outro, providing the listener with a sinister instrumental outro, that sends shrives down the spine. We want to give a shoutout to GlobMetal Promotions for letting us review An-Xul and their self-titled album. Now, we’re going to wrap it up by talking about the final three sins and concluding the review.
The Last Three Sins
Let’s discuss the last three sins of An-Xul and their self-titled album
The Fifth Sin, The Memorabilia:
Listening to An-Xul and their debut was undoubtedly a pleasure, even the brutal artwork that came with the music. I appreciate their modern take on the genre while still capturing that gritty, old-school vibe. They offer a distinctive perspective on black metal, blending intense, aggressive passages with haunting melodies. This creates an immersive soundscape that pulls the listener into a realm of darkness and despair—a black metal experience I can completely lose myself in.
The Sixth Sin, The Artwork:
The cover art for An-Xul‘s inaugural album was designed by Mike “The Engineer of Death.” His artistic contributions enhance the already profound intensity of the band’s sound, infusing it with an additional dimension of darkness and ambiance. The imagery aligns seamlessly with the malevolent themes of Satanism, the occult, and the annihilation of humanity, resulting in a compelling and immersive experience for the listener.
The Seventh Sin, Disrelish:
Nothing to disrelish within the musical spectrum of An-Xul and their self-titled album. Therefore, this concludes An-Xul and their self-titled album review.
Members
L. Plaguer : bass, & vocals
M.T.: drums
A. Nacht: guitars
Riccardo Lupi: Keyboards on track one
Giulio “Gas” Gasperini: keyboards
Track-Listing
01. Tem. ohp. AB. (intro)
02. Descent Through a Ghostly Maelstrom
03. We Are the Creeping Plague
04. Abandon God
05. Follow the Left Hand Path
06. Where the Moonlight Dies
07. The 7 Stages of Dying (instrumental)
08. Behead the Millennium Creature
09. Raise my Throne Above the Stars
10. Eternal Flame
11. Outro
