ALBUM REVIEW: Cemetery Lights – Consumption

American Black Metal necromancer CEMETERY LIGHTS is back with a second full length album, out now via Nuclear War Now Productions!

Eerie riffs open the record with a raw and dreary atmosphere while the bass is noisy enough to give that horrifically cool 90s demo style to the mix. The vocals are more raspy incantations that fit between the avalanche of morbid strings and scathing drums to give a formidably dark atmosphere. Taking their inspiration from the likes of Necromantia, Mortuary Drape and Mystifier, there is certainly a mystique to this music that renders the evil soundscapes rather chilling. Alongside the bludgeoning extremity, there is some more melodic flourishes which further the more Hellenic side of things but with the raw scorn of a band like Von. It feels like a lot of the takes were kept to single or minimal attempts because it’s not a super-tight sound, in fact it could be believed it was recorded live if it weren’t for the fact this is a solo venture. This extremely natural and honest approach gives the music a feel that is genuine and intoxicating, like a true display of their arts rather than a polished and diluted version. The fact this is a solo-project is shocking indeed, for the potent songwriting and ambience feels like that of a full band in many ways.

Along with the eldritch atmospherics, there is an unmistakable savagery in the feral playing style that conveys a bestial aggression, while knowing when to hone in on more subtle moments and add some dynamics. It’s rather unique how we can go from the bestial raging of Beherit to the mystifying melodies of Rotting Christ, alas Cemetery Lights do this and much more beautifully. The often monotonous droning of the bass (though contrasted by plenty of really intricate bass lines too) and primitive drumming gives a tribally hypnotic effect to the rhythmic side while the dancing riffs and enchanting vocals cast their own brand of spells forth from the charnel pits. This record is packed with interesting little twists that could be missed if the ear could blink, so one must maintain focus and allow its majesty to unfold properly before us. Interluded with a simple but splendidly atmospheric piece of dungeon-like ambience, the tension grows. Ensnared in a web of mystery, there is no turning back now.

The running order seems to be carefully chosen, as the album serpentines down wickedly spun tributaries of terror before returning to the expanse of horror that remains at its core. Often difficult to believe that this does not come from Greece or Italy, and that it is not a 30 year old recording, “Consumption” has a brilliantly story-like progression between the songs which has organic peaks of excitement before returning to a slumbering dread. A track like “Abide With Me” is a great example of a gratifyingly fantastic song, while the overall context of the record is needed to truly appreciate any individual piece. The art is clearly proud to be flying the flag of their sonic ancestors with no need for modernisation, something when does as well as this ought to be commended lest we loose the old ways to the history books. I feel a fair few, especially younger, Black Metal fans may not necessarily get this release. But those with an eagerness to experience the captivating allure of bands like those mentioned above in a current setting cannot miss this.

Ancient, mystical Black Metal done excellently with a supremely natural and vibrant sounding recording that may feel haphazard in some parts, but in a way that gives it the curious and exciting charm of a lost demo from the archaic Black Metal days past. Cemetery Lights are a band who genuinely feel like a cult gem that has just been unearthed, which is rather hard to achieve in modern times. Allow yourself to be consumed by the ritualistic seductions on offer, for they are full of merit.