It’s hard to stand out in the abyss of common tropes Black Metal often falls into. I know I repeat this often, but it’s genuinely difficult to be surprised lately. How many ways can you play a blastbeat before it becomes background noise? However, Scitalis seems to disagree with me. With Maledictum, its goal is to defy expectations while staying true to the kvlt essence of the genre. Being a Swedish band, I might be a tiny bit biased, but isn’t that what a review is all about? An exercise in bias? Alright, I’ll save the philosophy for later.
As a proud adherent of the Swedish school of Black Metal, Scitalis prioritizes melancholy and melody over sheer aggression. Maledictum might explore familiar themes within the genre, but the songwriting stands out. The album’s depth pulls you into a sea of despair and sadness without feeling bloated, even with the elongated atmosphere typical of Black Metal. Remarkably, the pacing is managed elegantly, allowing the listener to navigate this sinister opus without fatigue.
I’ll admit, it took me a while to get used to Scitalis’s vocal approach. It’s not that the lyrics are unintelligible, but the delivery sounds like someone screaming after their larynx has been crushed (metaphorically, of course!). Yet, it’s the guitar work that truly elevates Maledictum. The melodic lines drive the album in unexpected directions, carrying the emotional weight of the entire piece. While the other instruments perform competently, the guitars steal the spotlight, creating an evocative and immersive experience that’s perfect for the dark times we’re living in (oops, too real there!). There are moments where the riffs alone engulf you in pure agony and sorrow.
They must have been so cold afterwards
What should you be wary of? Aside from the endless money you spend on music? Well, as mentioned, the vocals are an acquired taste and might require a few listens before they click. Additionally, while there’s nothing particularly wrong here, you’ll notice plenty of familiar Black Metal tropes from the 2010s and 2020s, akin to bands like Mgła, Gorgorza, or Gaerea. That said, Maledictum leans towards a more organic sound. It might take time for its subtleties to shine, and I know many of you are tired of being patient, but hasn’t Metal always taught us the value of patience?
If you’re in the mood for something modern, harrowing, and emotionally resonant, Scitalis has crafted an album that might be just what you’re looking for, my corpse-painted child. While it ventures into strange territory at times, that’s precisely what we should welcome in Black Metal. After all, making darkness colorful is no easy feat, and Maledictum certainly adds its own shades to the monochrome.
Label: Vendetta Records
Release date: January 24, 2025
Website: https://scitalis.bandcamp.com/
Country: Sweden
Score: A wet 3.5/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 