ALBUM REVIEW: Cultus Profano – Accursed Possession

US Black Metallers CULTUS PROFANO return with their second album. Set for release via Debemur Morti Productions on August 28th.

Chiming church bells start off the record with an eerie ambience along with some incantations that certainly increase the disturbed feel of the introduction. Grisly riffs draw in with an atmospheric simplicity. Double kick drums quickly ensue to add a punctual force to the creepy guitars and then the demonic screeching vocals complete the raw and old school mix. Though only four years since their inception, it is clear Cultus Profano have a vision of a far more traditional Black Metal approach, hammering out a visceral yet ambient display of stripped back and primal strength. Amidst the onslaught, there is a convulsive groove to the rhythm of the music, making it somewhat catchy.

Marching forth, the display of blackened conjurations is intense and spectral, delivering a ritualistic and ferocious performance of truly blasphemous Black Metal. The sound itself is a gorgeous blend of American and Finnish style Black Metal, with a piercing atmosphere that is inescapable yet very melodic. Relentless drums and cascading riffs create a monolith of treble-heavy soundscapes for the shrieked vocals to drive through with passionately hellish aggression. Though very old school, some of the riffs build on this with some dissonant flare every so often to give a unique and even more cold feeling to the music, this is where the album really comes together, taking a forceful yet introspective composition to glorious territories.

Blasting through sepulchral ruins, Cultus Profano have the fury and skill to delve into a restless world of occult and violent Black Metal. Yearning with an unfathomably dark energy, this music may seem somewhat familiar and is not the most innovative Black Metal around. This does not mean it lacks quality, nor passion. This traditionalist approach to extreme music is delivered in wonderfully volatile fashion with plenty of variety in the tracks, memorable and catchy musicianship and most importantly the burning desire to create blasphemous music so obviously present. Ghostly riffs, chiming cymbals and snarling vocals often melt together upon a charnel altar to create a forceful and haunting soundscapes while never repeating enough to stagnate. Something that is necessary to keep the full 47 minutes of the record enticing and exciting.

This second full length effort from Cultus Profano is some killer old school Black Metal with enough contemporary influence to keep things interesting. Atmosphere meets dissonance, aggression meets melody and ferocity holds it all together. Few albums manage to sound barbaric yet hypnotic, but this is one of those records that pulls it off well. Certainly a release both traditionalist Black Metal fans will love but also those who enjoy the later developments of the genre too. Cultus Profano have enough diversity in their wide array of unholy unleashing to satisfy many while not compromising their vision. -8/10