ALBUM REVIEW: Sulphur Aeon – Seven Crowns And Seven Seals

Lovecraftian Black / Death Metal masters SULPHUR AEON return with their latest cosmic opus. Out via Ván Records on October 13th.

A mournful introduction begins our abyssal descent with emotive lead guitar work atop thunderous drums, building tension gorgeously. Soon a cataclysmic bellowing of guitars and drums launches into a visceral assault of pure majestic extremity. Sulphur Aeon have always crafted interesting music which plays on that fear of the unknown with gloom and aggression in equal measure surging forth from every cosmic orifice. Equally intense is the vocal delivery, a rabid onslaught of snarling ferocity to ride atop the tides of reverberate instrumental monstrosities. Lurking around each corner is a twist of turbulent excitement, always moving forward while never over-saturating their sound. After a consistent string of phenomenal records, it is wonderful to hear these titans of darkness return in such sublime form. Funereal, otherworldly and yet exalted; Sulphur Aeon make their first steps with exquisite soundscapes to draw you into this inescapable terror.

Moving in formless fluidity, the ever-changing and yet consistently thrilling sounds on offer take us on a mighty journey into the depths of infinity. Blending some truly anguishing and soulful musicianship with that unforgiving Black/Death Metal ferocity in a manner ultimately their own, Sulphur Aeon are one of those few bands who successfully make music just as estranged and yet gripping as the Lovecraftian horrors they portray. The monolithic production makes this towering behemoth of musical foreboding feel all-consuming while not taking the emphasis away from the impeccable playing talents of the entire band. Indeed, here we can witness a real vision come together with all elements being profoundly well-suited. Just gaze at the cover artwork while listening if you need further evidence of this. “Seven Crowns and Seven Seals” feels like another real complete work as we plunge further through its charnel layers into the heart of the beast.

The lucid flow of this record gives you moments where it feels like you are about to awake from the nightmare before a new wave of horrors washes over you, far more daunting and fearsome than the last. Thusly, it is quite easy to repeatedly revisit any given moment, more so the entirety of this work. Bodily horrors and psychic sorcery blend into a ferocious maelstrom of cosmos-dwelling disdain. The musical palette and deliverance of this vibrantly malignant alchemy is absolutely wondrous. Each subtle flare feeling so essential to the grander design of the album, there is so much to discover and be bewitched by. To be regaled with these ancient incantations in such splendour is definitely something that all adorers of Extreme Metal with a curiosity toward the mystical world of cosmic horror must experience. Something so viscerally hostile and yet stunningly enchanting is a great danger, and yet one that it is a pleasure to be bedevilled by.

Once more, Sulphur Aeon deliver majestic, unfathomable and wicked Blackened Death Metal that transports you into cosmic realms, seas of despair and infernos of chaos with ease. Each turmoiling yet satisfying second feels purposeful and engaging with a remorseless and yet well-rounded performance throughout. Haunting and otherworldly, beautiful and yet hideously deformed; nobody shall walk away from this album untouched…