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Inquisition: Ominous doctrines of the perpetual mystical macrocosm
02/02/12 || Will Cifer
Having jumped ahead of the curve on new metal for 2012, it makes sense to go into some of last year’s releases while I wait around for February’s albums to surface. Inquisition’s “Ominous doctrines of the perpetual mystical macrocosm” has been on my radar since its release early 2011. It took repeated listens to make me receptive, upon first listen I was quick to dismiss them as an Immortal knock off.
In 1996, main man Dagon crawled up to Washington State from Cali, Columbia. With the relocation his band shed their thrash roots for black metal. Columbia, being not very Lovercraftian in climate, did not permit Dagon’s inner amphibian to flourish as it has in the States. Dagon’s amphibian form is most apparent in his croak; he tries to call this a chant. I understand being in the thrall of the Elder Gods might cause denial when croaking from ones lily pad. He is right about the fact when placed over their music it becomes a drone. It’s not a sticking point , but the vocals might have benefited from a little re-verb, though in interviews Dagon stated it was his intent to leave them dry.
Perhaps the benefit of his Colombian roots gives the least domestic flavor of any American black metal band. This is their fifth album, and this duo is so finely attuned to one another. Aside from the blasting of the albums opener, they don’t need to default to the standard tricks of the trade to find a classic black metal sound.The guitar has a very organic distortion, forming the perfect blend of ambient space when chords are allowed to ring and then coiling into taunt razor sharpness, during the tremolo picked sections. It is the perfect guitar sound for his writing style, with a sense of melody lurking from it’s dark corners.
The other half of the equation long time collaborator and drummer Incubus, gives Dagon plenty of space to take center stage. Drumming with effective efficiency , thrash roots show with rolling Dave Lombardo tom fills, as his only indulgence . Incubus’ most impressive is how keeps the songs moving when Dagon descends into blackened dirges, these passages are never allowed to drag. Together the demonic duo creates a mood that casts a grim shadow over Innsmouth.
Poised to break through to the larger metal masses, Inquisition is in for a slow climb as their vocals make them more of a taste to be acquired. This album could have a similar impact “Lawless darkness” did for Watain. Right now, they are one of the few corpse painters with the hipsters’ seal of approval. Dagon’s beliefs don’t fall too far from Erick Danielson’s tree of black dragons, which when over espoused lead to the beard and beanie sect not taking Watain as seriously in America. Dagon could do well to hide behind his wall of magically crafted riffs, and let the music do the talking.
- Information
- Released: 2011
- Label: No Colours Records
- Website: Inquisition MySpace
- Band
- Dagon: vocals, guitar, bass
- Incubus: drums
- Tracklist
- 01. Astral path to supreme majesties
- 02. Command of the dark crown
- 03. Desolate funeral Chant
- 04. Cosmic invocation rites
- 05. Conjuration
- 06. Upon the fire winged demon
- 07. Ominous doctrines of the perpetual mystical macrocosm
- 08. Crepuscular battle hymn
- 09. Hymn for a dead star
- 10. Across the abyss ancient horns bray
