The eight new songs are paired with blazing tremolos and howling vocals imparting a sense of majesty. Lending grim atmospheric beauty within the spectrum of black metal, Imperium Dekadenz proves that they belong to the lofty sphere of black metal. The opening track “Into Sorrow Evermore” provides a gateway into the breathtaking soundscapes of the guitars cascading through the shrilling vocals of Horaz. Imperium Dekadenz offers a poignant and atmospheric insight with the streaming melodies finding their abode the guitars capture the grand scale of majesty and while the tremolo-picked riffs reveal the quality of the songwriting the music is grim and bewitching.
The melodies on the album overflow with such grace and shine perpetually through the furious drums, Vespasian demonstrates his efficiency in providing thundering blast beats his superb drumming is flawless as a perfectly cut diamond. The atmosphere often builds a perfect sense of rhythm depicting spiritual and atmospheric emotions that seem quite enhanced. “Truth under Stars” is propelled by the avalanche of firm blast beats though there are moments of reflection the duo weaves majestic melodies. Imperium Dekadenz stride beyond the desolate landscapes with the music that echoes unsung melodies through the lush soundscapes and even further the simplicity of the catchy guitar patterns is finely executed.
The opening piano lines on “Aurora” enhance the album’s gloomy bleakness carrying you away to the icy-capped mountains while there is always a sense of melancholy that balances the spiritual mood. “Into Sorrow Evermore” truly reflects the sonic aspects of the talented musicians. The slow sections are wonderful as they contrast with the shrilling howls of Horaz. The 7th album seems a perfect combination of atmosphere and grim black metal, each track showcases different styles with for example “Elysian Fields” brimming with cold themes of melancholy. The atmosphere is gloomy throughout and the countermelodies beautifully intrude into the tempo, Imperium Dekadenz encompasses a multitude of styles from melodic and atmospheric black metal with the drums providing a solid backing to the catchy guitar hooks. At times, the fast sections come like blizzards, the melodies on “Forests in Gale” meander in the mid-tempo allowing the guitars to weave the aesthetic of the band to present the magical aura that surrounds the grim raspy vocals.
Imperium Dekadenz has the art of weaving a similar atmosphere to bands like Wolves in the Throne Room, and Summoning and this is to say that the duo has kept a unique sound in the canons of atmospheric black metal. “Into Sorrow Evermore” takes you on a journey that makes each second a rewarding experience, there is something chilling about the whole atmosphere. “Awakened beyond Dreams”, which is the longest track on the album, focuses on the blazing tremolos and the blistering pace of the percussion, mid-way through the track there is a beautiful ambient guitar section embedded into the composition.
The guitars on the album sound cold and chilly giving you a dark sensation of wandering into the vast forest, the transcendent aura which surrounds “November Monument” has an unearthly somber and melancholic quality. The song captures the moving atmosphere of the tremolos with the slow melancholic rhythm reflecting the dark romanticism of the ambient elements.
Everything from the guitars, vocals, and drums creates a grim sonic landscape, even when comparing the new album with past efforts like “Meadows of Nostalgia” and “Dis Manibvs” you can sense the evolution of the band’s music. Imperium Dekadenz truly gives an inspiring performance on the 7th album. The final track “Memories… a Raging River” offers another fast blistering piece of awe and majesty. There are some familiar vibes to the preceding 2019 album “When We Are Forgotten” mainly in the guitar work, the song juxtaposes fast-paced drums drawing melodies with melancholic shrills that perfectly appeal to the listener.
REVIEW SCORE
9 | Imperium Dekadenz has become true masters of their craft and “Into Sorrow Evermore” is an exceptional album that captures the quintessence of atmospheric black metal without abandoning the fundamental ethos of their past albums. This comes highly recommended for fans of Lunar Aurora, Empyrium, and Summoning. |
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