Year: 2021
Total Time: 51:20
Label: The Circle Music/ Hell’s Fire Records
Truth is that no one expected that we would hear again new music from NECROMANTIA, as the band had been inactive and The Magus had devoted himself to other musical projects. The fact that NECROMANTIA’s new album entitled “To the Depths We Descend…” will be released in October, may left us all with a big smile, however the reason for this release was unfortunately a tragic event. I am referring, of course, to the sudden loss of the band’s iconic bassist Baron Blood, in November 2019. A musician with a huge contribution, who sealed NECROMANTIA’s sound with his characteristic eight-string bass and, together with The Magus, created music whose innovation left a strong impact on the world’s Black Metal scene.
The band’s new album is released as a farewell to the fans and as a tribute to Baron Blood. It contains six new songs plus two re-recordings of the band’s old time classic compositions (see “Lord of the Abyss MMXXI” and “The Warlock MMXXI”). All of us have combined NECROMANTIA’s sound with the eight-string bass, a fact that does not present in this new album, as the bass has been replaced by guitars. So, George Emmanuel’s (LUCIFER’s CHILD) guitar is the driving force and the backbone on which the compositions were built. Also he has done an excellent job in the production of the album.
“The eight-string bass belongs to Baron Blood and will remain with him” The Magus said, giving us an explanation for the fact that the guitar is the driving force of the album. Concerning the new compositions, they are a combination of materials that have built the band’s sound all those years. From “Crossing the Fiery Path” to “The Sound of Lucifer Storming Heaven”, with some “modern” Black Metal elements. These new elements will bring to mind YOTH IRIA (the other band that The Magus is involved), something very reasonable since both records were recorded in the same studio with the same person on guitar and at the production. As for the re-recorded songs, with the addition of the guitar and the new production, they sound very powerful without losing in any way their original atmosphere.
NECROMANTIA with “To The Depths We Descend…”, after 32 years of career, emphatically write the end, paying homage to Baron Blood. The characteristic eight-string bass may not be present, but the band’s characteristic innovation and musical braveness remains unchanged, even after so many years! Thus, The Magus bids us farewell, closing the chapter of NECROMANTIA for good with an album that summarizes the band’s musical career, while adding new elements and leaving the guitar (for the first time since the promo Tape of 1990), to have the reins. Listen, feel and travel in the darkness and musical magic of “To The Depths We Descend…” and shudder at the epilogue of “As The Shadows Wept (.. for Baron Blood)” with the mournful sound, the bells and The Magus shatter words who says goodbye to his friend and companion…
Rating: 7,5/10
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link: NECROMANTIA – Facebook Page
