Cruciamentum – Obsidian Refractions

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Enshrined in the abysmal depths of underground death metal for more than a decade, the international quartet Cruciamentum delivers a sepulchral opus to their follow-up album “Charnel Passages”. The long-awaited sophomore release “Obsidian Refractions” out via Profound Lore Records on November 24th, 2023, sees Chris Eakes (vocals, bass guitar), Dan Rochester (guitars), Dan Lowndes (guitars, backing vocals) and, Matt Heffner (drums) returning from the yawning chasm.

The album opens with an atmospheric macabre soundscape, thus allowing the dark guitar hooks to flow in a remarkable way, with the crushing gait of the drums and structured riff pattern atop the cavernous growls. The consecrated incantations of supreme darkness seem to be bolstered by the hefty rhythm guitars, creating an otherworldly eeriness. The scorching riff assaults measure the onset of the dynamics, in all its bestial solos and blistering drums Cruciamentum unfolds great intellect. The guitars are draped in flimsy gossamer that contrast with the rapid drumming and boost the tempo to a chaotic sonic clarity.

Abhorrence Evangelium” prepares us for a sudden cascade of visceral riffs, and tight-brutal drumming enhanced by the array of ferocity. Filled with malicious and venomous growls and visceral songwriting, the cavernous nature is showcased by the swelling guitar twists. Cruciamentum enters an era of rebirth with the sophomore endeavor, the quartet clearly introduces its bludgeoning force and offers unrivaled craftsmanship. “Necropolis of Obsidian Mirrors” injects massive chunky riffs, everything about this track emphasizes the tremolo-picked riffs that enhance the atmosphere and the bass guitar coalesce into a magnificent splendor.

The six new songs in “Obsidian Refractions” instantly erupt out of the cauldron, thus crafting an otherworldly mixture of slow and rapid riffs. Along with the thick pounding bass guitar, crashing cymbals, and powerful percussive, the guitar arrangement flows perfectly in the rapid tempos. Some wonderful guitar hooks sound multi-faceted, and the slow doomy opts for such a sepulchral and more sinister nuances. “Scorn Manifestation” opens with a chunky array of riffs and tremolos, making this cut sound more intriguing. The intense riffing and the monolithic tone of the atmosphere which has the creepy elements of blackened death metal and the massiveness of the blasting drums convey its potency.

The emphasis on the atmosphere is what separates Cruciamentum from the other bands, and they seem to be perfected by the unique song structure. These chunky riffs that make the atmosphere thick, gloomy, and abyssal are surmounted by blazing melodies. The impenetrable chunks boast high standards of ferocious death metal. The drumming on the album builds on dynamic tempos and expands to further levels of crushing death metal. There are some ostensible hints to the likes of Morbid Angel when the double bass is executed in the opening moments of “Interminable Rebirth of Abomination”.

It begins with a slow, monolithic tempo with the rhythm guitars that create an ominous aura and scorching riffs that make you nod your skull in total reverence. The track alternates between the slow crawling riffs to fit the expansive sound of the rhythm guitar, from the slow marching drums to the towering solos, and transporting you into the charnel pits of hell. The drums move from the mid-paced tempo to the ultimate warp speed and then slow down again.

The companionship rivalry between the elite death metal bands like Disma, Gorephilia, Hooded Menace, and Grave Miasma gave rise to the creative force known as Cruciamentum where they have refined their skills in this overwhelming sophomore release. “Obsidian Refractions” pounds the listener with one colossal riff after another in such a monstrous modus operandi that pours hellish chunks of cavernous death metal riffs coupled with bestial growls.

Morbid and obscure riffing takes a fair amount of display in the album’s final cut “Drowned” which defines the signature sound of Cruciamentum in a rather expansive and atmospheric approach. The weight of this lengthy ten-minute track is characterized by the sonic heaviness and combination of the skill of the quartet. Chilling guitar chords drenched in the deep guttural bellows and the uncompromising brutality and while the guitar work is intricate there is some focused drumming and there is also some slight shift in the style of the riffing patterns.

REVIEW SCORE

  • Music / Songwriting 9/10
  • Vocals / Lyrics 9/10
  • Mix / Production 9/10
  • Artwork & Packaging 9/10
  • Originality 9/10
9

Cruciamentum’s latest record “Obsidian Refractions” brings forth an expertly crafted album that reeks of atmospheric dread and chunks of bleakness, this is one of my favorite albums of the year 2023.

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