It’s been a while since we covered a debut. You know us—we’re defenders of the deep underground. While I wouldn’t say Death Like Mass comes without some noise, today feels like a low-key moment to talk about some decadent and obscure Black Metal. On another note, when did Poland become the land of Black Metal? Is it the Catholic guilt? Anyway, I digress. With a title like The Lord of The Flies, this release promises something disgusting and maniacal, right? But you know how it is—Black Metal can always find new ways to let you down. That’s why I approach this with open arms, but a cold heart. Let’s dive in.
The Lord is nasty and dirty. It’s the kind of music you put on in a dark room when you’re alone, seeking the kind of distress your daily routine can’t generate (unless we’re talking about being crushed in the metro—that’s real horror!). The two bands that come to mind when comparing Death Like Mass are Veilburner (soon to be reviewed at MER) and Satyricon. It’s the effort to sound truly evil and depraved that makes this album stand out. I believe a lot of this has to do with the production approach. It feels somber and harsh, but it doesn’t quite hit those rancid, True kvlt levels.
It took me a while to get used to the vocals here. They offer a great homage to classic Satyricon, sounding incredibly evil, which might polarize some listeners. However, The Lord doesn’t get as corny as those classics sometimes did. I’ll give it that! It’s congruent in style, with a few Blackened Death touches here and there that really enhance the atmosphere. But I do have a few warnings for you, my corpse-painted child.
The album revolves around one main theme: spreading madness through occult rituals. This can mess with the pacing at times. Some of the tracks in the album’s second half could have benefited from a bit of trimming, which is often the case with Black Metal. The overwhelming punch of negative energy might leave you feeling drained after a full listen, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the intention from the start.
I had my reservations, but this is a debut, after all. Death Like Mass has already accomplished what many bands struggle with: delivering a solid debut that might age well over time. It hasn’t completely conquered my cold heart yet, but things can always change. I do appreciate the theatricality of it. If you like your Black Metal ugly and grotesque, like raw haggis, then I think The Lord of The Flies is for you.
Label: Terratur Possessions
Release date: 4 October, 2024
Website: https://deathlikemass.bandcamp.com/album/matka-na-sabacie
Country: Poland
Score: A cold and silent lake, or 3.3/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 