Schammasch – The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean

This has been an intense release week, with both veteran and emerging bands hitting us with nearly unchecked energy. But my attention was elsewhere. Schammasch presents an intriguing proposition, to say the least. With an unusual blend of Prog, Death, Gothic, and a hint of refined snobbery, The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean promises the kind of elevated experience I’ve been craving all week—or it might just crash into a spectacular dumpster fire. Fingers crossed!

Alright, how do I put this? Maldoror is poetic and profound. It’s clear that it’s attempting to convey a lot with minimalism, and though I generally dislike spoken interludes within tracks, it works perfectly here. “Crystal Waves” takes its time setting the atmosphere, and it’s genuinely moving, creating a homage to the vast and mysterious ocean, its depths, and its symbolic wisdom. We had an album this year with similar ambition in its poetic aspirations, but I believe Maldoror succeeds by delivering a more direct, accessible message.

As any experimental band would, Schammasch has an unusual sense of pacing, where the tracks vary significantly in style and length. Just when I thought I was in for a weird Prog/Goth journey, it veers into harsher, more straightforward Death Metal—only to revert to calmer waters before plunging into MeloDeath. Much like the ocean’s shifting moods, Maldoror takes on different faces. Want to sink into your own dark reflections? Here’s the soundtrack for that.

Still, I’m wary of certain choices here. The album’s cohesiveness is worth questioning; this wide stylistic range could feel unfocused to some. While it didn’t bother me too much, “Your Waters Are Bitter” was slightly jarring, shifting the tone too abruptly for my taste. In an album this atmospheric, balancing aggression is essential, and that track threw me of the boat a bit (you get it? Heh… Don’t hit me!).

Here’s yet another album exploring the depths of nature and the human mind. Time will tell if it joins my favorite ocean-themed albums (can anyone really top Pelagial? Doubtful!), but I do think Schammasch has the potential to become a fixture in the Prog/Post Metal scene. If you’re open to digesting the Gothic elements, then you’re ready to dive into these treacherous waters of melancholy. You might find it divisive, but I can’t think of any band that sounds like this, and that’s always worth something in my book. Now, can we please ease up on the killer album drops this week? We need a breather!

Label: Prosthetic Records

Release date: 25 October, 2024

Website: https://www.facebook.com/SCHAMMASCH/

Country: Switzerland

Score: A deep 4.0/5.0