Kev Rowland Formed back in 1988 by guitarist and singer Rob “The Witch”, over the years Necronomicon have been through quite a few other musicians. That appears to be the case again here, as the information I have for this release has the line-up as a duo with Rob also providing bass, and drums by Divider. I’ve just been over to their Facebook page to check the information and they now have a bassist listed (Lord Vargas) but no drummer, so although the band have been going for more than 30 years there are definitely some challenges in finding the right people to keep up with The Witch, and given what I can hear on this album I am somewhat not surprised. Here we have a blackened death album with tilts particularly to Dimmu Borgir and Behemoth, with symphonic keyboards and orchestration when the time is right, as well as choir. It is an incredibly polished and accessible release, one which any fan of the genre will listen to with a smile on their face the very first time it is played.

There is plenty of variety as well, as while never leaving the genre there is a lot of wriggle room, and I am particularly taken with the acoustic instrument which plays a major part on “The Thousand Masks” where it should never be involved whatsoever, but somehow it sounds right. Not all songs are at breakneck speed, and there is a strong knowledge of the need for contrast both in terms of heaviness and style, so when they get really heavy it has more of an impact. The atmospheric break in “Ascending The Throne of Baator” is particularly powerful, allowing The Witch to change the melodic attack of the song, moving down almost to doom speed with the vocals becoming particular understandable. The choir at this point makes one think of a flagstoned castle, and lots of armour and things with very sharp edges.

It doesn’t seem to matter who he has by his side, as Rob “The Witch” is still producing great music, and this could actually be the best one yet. Definitely worth investigation.