CHAOSBAPHOMET
Promethean Black Flame
(Deathrune Records)
35:04min

Greek Black Metal doesn’t always have a consistent sound. RAVENCULT is a far cry from ROTTING CHRIST, and so on. But with CHAOSBAPHOMET, you get something unlike either. And not necessarily in a good way. The opener ‘Chaosgenesis’ has everything from acoustic guitar to echoing spoken word to flutes. Yes, flutes. This was five minutes I’ll never get back. The second track ‘Fire Of The Titans’ starts with galloping guitars, and provides better promise to CHAOSBAPHOMET’s first full-length. The next track ‘Dynasty Of Typhon’ continues with more chugging guitars. And by now, the vocals are starting to grate on my nerves a little bit. And more spoken word? ‘To Eos’ plods along in a meandering stroll before picking up speed. And although this is Black Metal, the vocals change on ‘Blood Of Hydra’. Death Metal vocals have always been compared to Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster. But damn if Ravenlord Wampyri Draconium doesn’t sound just like him on this track. The stops and starts, slow then fast rhythms of this track and other tracks throughout destroy a much needed consistency. The beginning of the sixth track ‘Nightside Realm’ sounds like something out of a 1950s movie about ancient Egypt. I actually picture a black and white image of an American girl in Egyptian garb fanning a king with giant leaves. ‘Spiritforms Of The Psychomancer’ is a NECROMANTIA cover that actually picks up steam and ends on a high note. Overall, the album isn’t terrible. But the band could focus a little more on consistency and kick-ass aural attacks than the all-over-the-place songs displayed on "Promethean Black Flame". For more band information, check out www.facebook.com/pages/chaosbaphomet/125700044191765 or https://chaosbaphomet.bandcamp.com, label contact: www.deathrune-records.com

David Simonton

David Simonton

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