Deathspell Omega – “Drought” – [Season of Mist]

This EP, from June of this year, is the most recent release of new material from these French black metal cultists. It continues the trend of the last few records’ gradual shift away from purely orthodox BM, although these tracks are still squarely in BM territory. The six pieces total at about 21 minutes, and if the included lyrics are any indication, have a continuous theme of nihilism and emotional desiccation. T. 1 is mournful instrumental black doom that reminds of Forgotten Tomb or Deathspell Omega’s countrymen Eibon. The high-octane blitzkrieg that follows with the other 5 certainly has ‘cult’ influences (Burzum, Horna, Les Legions Noires) but also showcases a less dissonant, subtler approach to riffcraft that has distinctly progressive/math moments with heavy use of harmonics, as on the Ludicra-esque T. 2 or ferociously paced T. 3. Portions of brief T.4 are technical enough to almost sound like a sort of twisted no-wave. T. 5 has a death metal feel with a traditional solo and slightly less progressive influence; it reminded me of oldies like Abhorer and is also unsurprisingly my favorite track. T. 6, a slight drop in tempo, opens with a clear melody that descends by the second half of the song into a disorientating spiral of menacing sound. Near the end of the track is a treated Gregorian chant sample. This ritual’s mixture of technicality and murky blackness brings to mind the ever-relevant Dissection, partially because the production is cleaner than rawer incarnations of BM tend to employ. Will be interesting to see where Deathspell goes from here.