Athenaeum Of Sin Reviews

From the moment the play button is pressed, the opening piece Kop op het blok transports the listener to the Middle Ages audio clip introduction. This unique introduction is swiftly followed by a relentless barrage of raw instrumentals and vocals, setting the stage for the rest of the album.

Embarking on a musical journey with the second piece, De lijdensweg van Entgen Luijten, and the remaining six pieces, the lone member, Consanguineus, guides you through the unknown. Prepare for a voyage through Limburg’s mysterious and grim landscape, steeped in the spirit of the past. ‘Krijtland’ is a deep exploration of darkness and despair, intricately woven with the rich history of South Limburg, known for its mining heritage and folklore, and Flanders myths and legends, including tales of witches, devils, and the wild hunt.

Upon first listening to Wurgilnõ, I was struck by the rich history embedded in the lyrics. It’s not just a raw atmosphere of black metal but a dark journey through genuine historical concepts. The songs are steeped in the witch trial and prosecution of Entgen Luijten, a mine explosion in 1928 that claimed thirteen lives, and the devil was blamed, the plague that ravaged Europe between 1347 and 1352, the wild hunt, and more. These events and myths hold significant cultural and historical importance, and understanding them adds depth to the music.

These themes add a profound depth to the music spectrum, inviting listeners to delve into the rich historical context and understand the album’s unique qualities. This enlightens the audience and piques their curiosity, making the listening experience more intriguing. The album’s unique blend of raw, aggressive sound and dark, atmospheric themes creates a captivating atmosphere that draws the listener in, enhancing their appreciation of the music.

As the music unfolds upon the listener’s ears and soul, this Dutch black metal solo artist delivers rough and unpolished atmospheric black metal drenched in this 90s Norwegian old-school environment. Its raw, aggressive sound and emphasis on dark, atmospheric themes characterise it. Eight songs spread across under fifty-five minutes, each piece over four to six pieces, while the closing piece is a thirteen-minute composition.

Immersing oneself in the intricacies of the music, one uncovers a captivating interplay of tempos and atmospheres as each song traverses a spectrum of moods.

This dynamic range keeps the audience engaged and actively involved as the listeners are drawn into the shifting landscape of the music. A unique blend of melodic, primitive, and atmospheric riffs, each with its own distinct character, marks the compositions. The vocal delivery, ranging in tone and reverberating in effect, nostalgically pays homage to the raw essence of 90s black metal.

Moreover, the strategic incorporation of samples and keys enriches the sonic landscape, amplifying the musical experience’s immersive and epic nature, heightened by the violins’ poignant and mournful resonance.

The album’s production is immaculate and executed with utmost professionalism, maintaining the unpolished charm of Old-school (Scandinavian) black metal. The meticulous devilmanship and compositions of the instrumentation, lyrics, and music are flawlessly executed. Each song is a unique journey, capturing a different tone and atmosphere to bring out the essence of each dark theme, enhancing the impact of the lyrics and music. This level of dedication and skill is something to be deeply appreciated, as it elevates the music to a higher level of quality and depth.

Krijtland and Consanguineus’ music is a forbidden fruit of art, a metaphor that describes the album’s unique and unconventional nature. Something about the music makes it relaxing but unsettling at the same time. The music and lyrics delve deep into the dark history of the Netherlands and what these people went through.