Review of Helleborus - "The Carnal Sabbath"
OTHERWORLDLY ARTISTRY
By: Geoff Teach
Airy, reverberated black metal is all the rage these days, although not every band that composes in this heavy and ghostly manner can pull it off with measurable success. But when it’s done right, atmospheric metal can be some of the most addictive music to listen to in the entire world. And now, emerging from Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a new and talented black metal act known as Helleborus – and this pair of brothers from The Centennial State are clearly not afraid to dive headlong into otherworldly musical artistry to achieve their decadent dreams.
Incredibly mesmerizing and intensely salacious, Helleborus’s debut full-length, The Carnal Sabbath, was released in the States last week on Black Plague Records (Satanath Records everywhere else), and after listening to only a few tracks, I knew right away that I wanted to write up this review and share this wholly enthralling music with you, my beloved readers. Spellbinding, severe, and saturated with elemental puissance, The Carnal Sabbath is a bacchanalian orgy of organic black metal magnificence; and if you prefer your music dark, debauched, and dissolute, then this stalwart release should be just what you’ve been looking for.
Straight away, Helleborus’s brotherly duo aggressively assert themselves on The Carnal Sabbath with the opener “Helleborus Black”, and between its squealing guitar inflections, nightmarish vocals, and driving rhythms, it’s hard to tell whether you’re coming or going. Moving further into the album, songs like “Edge of Black Waters” (my favorite), and “Draconian Discipline” grab your attention by the ears, not letting go until they’re done with you, and The Carnal Sabbath closes with an impressive trio of first-class tracks in “Temple of Seventh Death”, “A Gift of Renewal”, and the striking, nine-minute title-track, “The Carnal Sabbath”.
Overall, Helleborus’s The Carnal Sabbath is pure fucking gold. Fans of acts such as Wolves In The Throne Room, Vukari, and Obsequiae should love this prodigiously exceptional release as much as I do; and now that it has been officially unleashed on the public, you can order yourself a copy via Bandcamp, Big Cartel, or even iTunes, if that’s your thing. Simply click the links provided below to procure The Carnal Sabbath, and add this incredible album to your collection today!
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