Though “Oalevluuk” is quite different from preceding albums like the classic debut “Askengris” and the 2005 album “Piene”. What we get here is an aggressive foray into the traditional sound of Scandinavian black metal. With the songwriting and musical components that stand on their own. The opening track “Rise, Oh Horned One, Rise!” blasts off into a hellish ferociousness and a searing tremolo-picked riffs forming an infernal landscape of diabolical creatures.

Salacious Gods has opted for a classical version of 90s black metal a la Setherial, Marduk, and Gorgoroth in the newest album. The drumming is played fast, with some double bass kicks providing intense blast beats as they contrast with the blazing aura of the tremolos. All of these elements are combined in the following song “Morbid Revelations In Blood And Semen” which delivers some catchy guitar melodies. The production is raw and enables the drums and the guitars to flow with an almost tangible effect of the bass guitar.

“Bloedkloete” is another example of the band’s ability to capture the malevolent nature of black metal. The screeching vocals carry the melodic tremolo lines throughout, and both guitarists weave some dark melodic lines into the mix the unique use of the keyboards is another dazzling feature that reminds me of Burzum.

The orchestral segments are often utilized in several songs, and the drumming seems to bounce off at a rapid speed. Salacious Gods encapsulates every subtle variation of old-school black metal, for example, the guitars in “Devotion” create many mid-tempo sections where the black ‘n’ roll metal riffing is emphasized, but they remain powerful and aggressive. The unrelenting blast beats are stately and frequently forceful, driven with flurries of tremolo-picked riffs. While “Gnosis Of The God Impure” is a raw fusion of black metal brought with many tempo changes and chilling melodies adding distinctive textures and atmosphere to the demonic shrieks.

The riffing is reminiscent of primitive raw black metal style and there are tons of fast-paced sections where the guitars and drums play at the same level. The songwriting skills are widely showcased in the ninety-minute track “Honor Him”. Despite the numerous influences and stylistic shifts in the riffing, Salacious Gods has managed to intersperse the frenzy up-tempos with cold melodies. Hence, the track shows how the band has balanced their varied influences while keeping the music cold and energetic. The diverse guitar work conveys an array of raw qualities, and they are the driving force behind the music, as a result, “Oalevluuk” extracts the grim and solid aggression.

Likewise, “Sulphur Mingled With Poison” maintains the organic harmony between the blazing riffs and the rapid drums. Regardless of the slow mid-tempo sections that focus on catchy melodic rhythms and lead guitars perfectly textured into the song, the music sounds grim and frostbitten. The Dutch quintet truly adheres to the traditional sound of European black metal, be it Swedish or Finnish, “Oalevluuk” is all about passion and intensity. The flawless performance and the coherence between these lads remain consistent throughout the album’s fifty-six minutes and show no signs of faltering.

The simple but effective doomy intro of the guitars in “Towards The Darkening Light” is flawless. The catchy riffing displays the quality of the songwriting before the abrasive drums become awash in the demonic shrill. Romping drum beats sound glorious and energetic as the guitars launch merciless tremolos, taking a fast-paced tempo. With the hooky high-pitched growls exploding into a savage onslaught on the album’s title track “Oalevluuk”. Salacious Gods concludes its journey by showcasing the palette of the tremolos creating a beautiful atmospheric backdrop for the ultra-fast blast beats, there is a chilling dark sense to the melodic structure that surrounds the craftsmanship.

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