ALBUM REVIEW: Teitanblood – From The Visceral Abyss

Spain’s Teitanblood are one of the most elite and revered names in underground Black / Death Metal. For good reason; their entire discography is a burgeoning pot of evil might. Their fourth full length album is out on March 28th via Norma Evangelium Diaboli.

The first notes of ambience are appropriately hostile, yet intriguing, an apt microcosm of Teitanblood’s sound served as an intimidating introduction. Malevolent riffs storm into life, swirling forth from the murk as turbulent drumming seeps into the mix. Awash with spirits from the abyssal realms, the shroud of venomous ferocity coating their music is one worn boldly. Pugnacious grooving rhythms and dissonant leads flow forth as the lunacy of the vocals furthers the tormenting onslaught of barbarism. Combining the introspective with outright malign, Teitanblood’s malicious intent is abundantly clear from the onset of this towering blizzard of spite. Each instrument contorts in resplendent discourse as the bestial furore surges forward with an animalistic hunger. As the convulsing spew of the vocals laps at the shores of guitar-driven sadism, the varied drumming retains a sepulchral savagery that is inescapable. In its opening moments “From The Visceral Abyss” provides soundscapes that sound like they were spawned from the very album title in all of its mystique.

Powering on this mutinous, murderous and majestic opus is as inhospitable as one would expect from this ritual death squad. Worshipping the profane and bathing in the fiery waters of underworlds, Teitanblood exist in their own realm of sprawling nightmares. No trend, whim or other external influence spills in from the mortal world. Only the most lethal, unhinged and magical ideas are cast forth from this unique entity as their sonic upheaval continues to drain the spirit of purity. Elements of industrial punishment add to the flagellating monstrosity of the album, while the Black / Death Metal superiority on offer is of course the main focus point. This band is unafraid to walk their own path, treading on the skulls of the meek and the fickle, trampling all to dust in the process. Masterfully entwining the most corporeally wounding sections with these expansive ideas. From hellishly hammering to pondering atmospherics, there is no colour on the pallet of extremity that goes unused. Each flavouring this record with something special to add to the overwhelming array of opulent aggression.

Within the charnel tombs lie all sorts of leprous beings, casting forth hexes of spiritual warfare with their sonic occult weaponry. As you sink further into this album, the all-consuming riptide of music pulls you apart by the very fibres of your being and exploits the weaknesses within, birthing you anew in its own image. The production is a gargantuan and dynamic effort which churns forth each tendrilous piece gloriously. Sinews of lead guitars jut out from the rocky percussive cliffs and the trepidation from the endless streams of disconcerting riffs and vocal incantations all combine to ensure we cannot do anything but submit to the cacophony of swirling chaos and suffering. To put this listening experience into words is not easy, nor is handling the display of pungent soundscapes; but it is with absolute conviction I say that you have to hear this album and experience it for yourself if the true spirit of extremity, darkness and the macabre are what you are drawn to. A luxuriously lacerating experience that endlessly twists the sacrificial blade into your flesh as the bestial miscreants of the cosmos flood your being with infectious and nefarious energies.

A truly demonic, soul-purging and unwieldy album of pure elite strength; exactly what Teitanblood has mastered over the years. There is no mercy or quarter in these pieces of pulverising sadism as they flay all of us with a truly wonderful and unforgettable experience. No two opuses in their discography are the same and none can imitate them. You could even call this cinematic at times, from the off-kilter to the epic and grandiose. Each reverberate moment you stare into the abyss, it stares back… Worse yet, entities seem to crawl forth from it when you look a bit too close… Even scoring this album seems arbitrary, but rest assured it is the nexus of all things forbidden, secret, evil and mystical. Another sublime, supreme offering from the true masters of Black / Death Metal artistry. Teitanblood open the gates once more…