Time Signature Death illumination...

Genre: atmospheric death metal

Death metal has really developed in a lot of different directions, rancing from the tech death of, say, Obscura to the primitive and aggressive death metal represented by the likes of Obituary. Ævangelist represent a more ethereal approach to death metal with their own unique brand of blackened death metal.

Making use of brutally down-tuned guitars and plenty of primitive death metal riffage, the American death duo embrace the core aesthetics of death metal. However, these are wrapped in a layer of weird atmospheric - and quite creepy - background effects. Moreover, the guttural vocals are, as we know from atmospheric black metal, enhanced with a lot of reverb. This creates a dark and creepy ambiance, probably designed to instill feelings of paranoia and fear in the listener.

While I acknowledge that this album is a piece of art and it is obvious to me that the bands artistic mission has been satisfactorily completed, Ævangelist's album is not really my cup of tea. The atmospheric effects and the fuzzy production makes it hard for me to concentrate on the guitar riffage, and, personally, I do not enjoy listening to the album that much. Still, given that Ævangelist has not set out to make an album with catchy hooks and memorable riffs in the first place, I would say that, although it does not agree with my tastes "De Masticatione Mortourum in Tumulis" is 100% an artistic success.

Fans of creepy and ambient extreme metal should definitely check this album out.