Originally conceived from material intended for guitarist Y.K.’s previous band, Serpent Noir, Eleventh Ray has evolved into a distinct entity. Y.K. emphasizes that the project is deeply rooted in dark magic and Typhonian alchemy, aiming to create a “black magical death/thrash/black metal album without the lyrical satanic naivety of the past.” This philosophical underpinning manifests in the album’s ritualistic elements and ominous atmosphere.
As soon as the listener presses that play button, the opening piece, Nightside of Damascus, greets the listener with a straight-for-the-kill introduction — a sound that’s dark and aggressive that channels thought-out the eight remaining pieces.
With nine tracks that stretch over thirty-four minutes, Reviving Tehom transcends mere music—it embodies an expression that reaches beyond the confines of reality, merging the fierce aggression of old-school death-thrash with the atmospheric depth of ritualistic black metal. The lyrics are steeped in themes of the occult and Typhonian alchemy, crafting a chaotic yet deeply immersive experience. Simultaneously, it pays homage to the spirit of Celtic Frost, Sodom, the 90s exploits of the great Magus Wampyr Daoloth (Necromantia, Rotting Christ, Thou Art Lord), and, of course, Therion‘s 1993s Symphony Masses: Ho Drakon Ho Megas album.
Eleventh Ray’s album, Reviving Tehom, provides the listener’s ears and soul with a dark and ritualistic fruit of art release and sacrificial offering in sound and atmosphere. Crafted through a production that’s floored to perfection, capturing every sound, note, vocal, and the soul beating of the music. Although the production, an essential piece, it manages to return each layer with clarity while maintaining that raw and old-school crushing element that is an integral part of the chosen aesthetic.
The listener’s deeper immersion into the music’s ethereal ambiance reveals that each song is unique not only in terms of its tempo or sound, but in its composition, arrangement, and instrumentation. Each of these is crafted with perfection and delivered by this fruit of artistic devilmanship. Moreover, the tracks transition smoothly, maintaining a harmonious balance amidst wild accelerations. Notably, the fourth track, Path of the Bellator, translates to “Path of the Warrior,” capturing a journey through shadows, enriched with powerful pan-pipes, rhythmic drumming, and stirring melodies.
In contrast, the sixth track, Κόκκινη Αποκάλυψη (Red Apocalypse), is performed in Greek, and evokes this ritualistic and ominous vibe. The instrumentation: the listener will find that the guitar devilmanship not only provides the listener with crushing and aggressive riffs with intoxicating rhythms, but also provides unsettling chord shapes, creating a soundscape that is both menacing and spiritual. The tone is dense and oppressive at the same time, but it is also expertly structured; each passage seems to serve a deeper purpose.
There are moments of tremolo-picked passages reminiscent of second-wave black metal but are infused with dissonant harmonies and ritualistic percussion that elevate them into more arcane territory. There is a rhythmic incantatory quality that binds the songs, giving the album a ceremonial, almost liturgical flow. The bass riffs provide a solid foundation, enhancing the depth and intensity of the music. At the same time, the drum work is dynamic and powerful, driving the songs forward while complementing the album’s complex rhythms.
The vocal deliverers, that are both haunting and harsh, and evocative, even providing the composition with ritualistic vocals. Ominous chants contribute to the album’s dark and ritualistic feel, but also align with the band’s themes and add to the overall atmosphere. One will find the vocals on the second piece, Staring Eyes, are particularly striking, shifting between sharp barks and deep growls, complemented by ritualistic chanting that enhances the album’s esoteric atmosphere.
Overall, Reviving Tehom is a menacing and dark fruit of art. And it is not an album for casual listening. It demands immersion and rewards repeated listens with revelations hidden in the shadows of its layered arrangements.
As the album draws to a close, the final track, Reviving Tehom, we particularly want to give a shoutout to Clawhammer PR, for introducing and allowing us to review Eleventh Ray, and their album Reviving Tehom. Now, we are going to conclude the review by talking about the final three sins and concluding the review.
