ALBUM REVIEW: Belphegor - "Totenritual"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 15/09/2017

Label: Nuclear Blast

Once again, as they have over the vast majority of their discography, Belphegor has produced an excellent album of the best blackened death metal. This is every bit as good as anything else the band has put out from one of the best extreme bands in the world, no question.

“Totenritual” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Baphomet (4:47)

2. The Devil's Son (4:20)

3. Swinefever - Regent Of Pigs (4:50)

4. Apophis - Black Dragon (6:12)

5. Totenkult - Exegesis Of Deterioration (5:43)

6. Totenbeschwörer (2:15)

7. Spell Of Reflection (5:21)

8. Embracing A Star (5:34)

9. Totenritual (2:46)

The Review:

Austria's finest exponents of blackened death metal return with another feral storm of blast beats, vicious riffing and blasphemous atmospherics. Belphegorget everything right here- if 2014's “Conjuring The Dead” was a little mechanical in production for some tastes (not mine, I loved it!) then this is a slightly more organic proposition. From the get-go of “Baphomet” the band are firing on all cylinders, with blackened smoke belching from the exhaust.

The sound of “Totenritual” is the sound of a band invigorated. Belphegor have been around for two decades plus now- hard to believe, but there it is. Helmuth and Serpenth are joined by Bloodhammerthis time around- not a session drummer, but a full time member. The band feels complete and it is my hope that Bloodhammeris in this for the long haul- his playing is fantastic; technical enough, very quick and with a nice feel to it. Helmuthand Serpenth are as on point as usual and the mix is a little more forgiving this time around- the drums are not as overpowering/high up in the speakers.

As the album progresses, there is a nice uniformity to the tracks- “The Devil's Son” really ignited the stereo- a classic Belphegor track- while “Swinefever” is just as effective, albeit at a different pace. The black metal has perhaps been amplified a little- particularly on tracks like “Apophis- Black Dragon”, which utilises atmospheric riffing along with blast sections, but the material never gets overly melodic. “Totenkult – Exegesis of Deterioration” is another epic with plenty of changes and memorable riffs- something which elevates Belphegorabove most other bands in their sphere.

There is also an instrumental on this nine track album; “Totenbeschworer”. The track has some some very doom like atmospherics which sets up the rampaging “Spell of Reflection” and the more restrained “Embracing A Star” (acoustic intro included!). The coup de grace comes with “Totenritual” which is a blasting beast of furious sounds until the final minute when the album plays out to the sounds of acoustic guitar, sound effects and a pervading vibe of darkness.

Once again, as they have over the vast majority of their discography, Belphegor has produced an excellent album of the best blackened death metal. This is every bit as good as anything else the band has put out. Whether you favour the earlier menace of “The Last Supper”, the crazed sounds of “Bondage Goat Zombie” or the dialled up death metal of “Conjuring The Dead” you will find much to enjoy here. One of the best extreme bands in the world, no question.

“Totenritual” is available here

Band info: facebook