Ecnephias - Inferno

Just barely a year after their 2010 release, Ecnephias have been quick at work to get their third album to the Metal masses. Some might be skeptical that the album was rushed within a year's time as opposed to the four year gap between sophomore and debut, but from the looks of things this is pretty decent. A blend of Death and Gothic Metal, the music is set to a symphonic backdrop with a mix of growls and clean, mournful singing. One thing is for sure: the album is highly melodic, drawing on influences from Cradle Of Filth such as the excellent piano intro track, "Naasseni," and the backing chorus on "A Satana" to the rhythms of "Fiercer Than Any Fear" which shows traces of a band like Catamenia or Darkseed. The growls are thick and heavy- smilar to Septic Flesh- and stand as the brutal mark of the album. The slower, more 'grouped together' clean vocals sound like they could be on a Viking or Power Metal album from the likes of a group such as Heidevolk and sound best during the slower moments such as on "Lamia" or "Voices Of Dead Souls," which is an excellent mystical track both in title, lyrics, and atmosphere with the mix of chugging guitar, synth, and keybord strewn throughout.

Other tracks like "Black Church" are more guitar focused but have excellent rhythm and should appeal to fans of 'heavier Metal moments.' While this is not necessarily 'brutal music,' Ecnephias have their Gothic tones completely set and know how to keep atmosphere steady throughout the music as well as a certain level of mystique. Fans of Doom Metal can certainly get into this as anyone who likes certain fantasy themes but likes the music to be considerably darker and twisted than how it sounds in Power or Progressive Metal. Compared to many other bands out there, the sound is rather typical of Death/ Gothic Metal for fans to enjoy and may not stand out as much when listeners are looking for something fresh, but the production is clean and makes everything audible without the feeling something is missing. A lucky rush, 'Inferno' has few flaws to contend with and survives as Ecnephias's 'ace in the hole' ...  for now.

  1. Naasseni (intro)
  2. A Satana
  3. A Stealthy Hand Of An Occult Ghost
  4. Buried In The Dark Abyss
  5. Fiercer Than Any Fear
  6. Voices Of Dead Souls
  7. Secret Ways
  8. In My Black Church
  9. Lamia
  10. Chiesa Nera

Reviewer: Colin McNamara
Jan 12, 2012
Next review: Drama - Zastor tisine

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