I’ve long been a fan of blackened speed (speedened black?1) metal, with some of my favorite releases over the past few years falling into this most ferocious of subgenres. Bavaria’s own Blackevil scratched that specific itch with their sophomore effort Forever Baptised in Eternal Fire back in 2020. Thankfully, the mighty Holdeneye’s flowery prose perfectly captured my feelings about that record, and I’ve spent many an hour since then spinning that blasphemous little bundle of joy. This go-round, Holdy was gracious enough to offer me the opportunity to review Blackevil’s third release, the succinctly titled Praise the Communion Fire for the Unhallowed Sacrament. While I can’t be sure, I’m convinced I’m only writing this because our resident beefcake is busy bulking in anticipation of his winter hibernation. But I’m not one to look a gift blackened-speed-metal-album in the mouth!
For the uninitiated, Blackevil churns out a potent blend of melodic black metal and savage speed metal, interspersed with glimmering veins of thrash and traditional heavy metal for good measure. There are Iron Maiden-inspired gallops and searing solos, a crispy char of tremolos and blast beats, and a thick layer of blackened melody, with plenty of infernal shrieks to spare. But what’s perhaps most notable about their latest outing is just how much speed metal Blackevil have excised from the sound, opting instead for increasingly epic, mid-paced arrangements. This change more than any other sets Praise the Communion Fire for the Unhallowed Sacrament apart from Forever Baptised in Eternal Fire, and it’s a creative decision that has a dramatic impact on the entire album as a result.
Praise the Communion Fire for the Unhallowed Sacrament by Blackevil
Praise the Communion Fire for the Unhallowed Sacrament kicks off with “Timeless Throne,” a workhorse of an opening track if there ever was one, setting the tone for what ends up being a pretty consistent release. “Timeless Throne” boasts decent riffs, a reliably impressive vocal performance by frontman and bassist Abyss, and an overall approach that is neither flashy nor bold, but serves as an effective introduction to Blackevil’s sulfurous waters. The remaining six tracks each possess their own attention-grabbing characteristics, even if they are all variations of a theme. There are the pugnacious, harder-edged tracks with just the right amount of pummeling speed (“Divine Forces,” “The Gladiator”), mixed in between the more atmospheric tunes that prize mood over ferocity (“Beneath this Pentagram,” “Praise the Fire for the Sacrament”). These tonal shifts notwithstanding, it’s very clear that Blackevil is intent on streamlining their sound this time, and it’s a gutsy gamble that doesn’t always pay off.
This new streamlined sound is perhaps best embodied in Praise the Communion Fire for the Unhallowed Sacrament’s closing track “Towards the Carpathian Winter Battle,” a title Abbath is already kicking himself for not using. This nearly 11-minute behemoth features moody orchestration, trudging riffs, acoustics, and a build that never quite delivers. It’s a well-constructed, well-performed piece of music that nevertheless overstays its welcome while also lacking much of the essential dynamism that made Blackevil’s second album such an idolatrous joy to behold. It seems that in their eagerness to grow beyond the confines established by Forever Baptised in Eternal Fire, the band cast off much of the energy and immediacy that first set them apart. The feeling of homogeneity is further pronounced due to some unfortunate bloat. While this album and Forever Baptised in Eternal Fire both clock in at about 45 minutes, Praise the Communion Fire for the Unhallowed Sacrament is two tracks shorter. The result is a significantly weaker musical approach that can’t quite support the weight of longer songs.
If my criticisms seem unduly harsh, it’s important to mention that Praise the Communion Fire for the Unhallowed Sacrament remains an enjoyable, albeit flawed, listen (spin the penultimate track “Unknown Hands” if you don’t believe me). Because I know how capable Blackevil is of delivering the goods, I come away more frustrated than anything with this new musical direction. While I can’t fault a band for attempting to grow creatively, it’s unfortunate that in doing so, Blackevil felt the need to jettison so much of what made the band unique. Is the sound on Praise the Communion Fire for the Unhallowed Sacrament so dramatically different from Forever Baptised in Eternal Fire? On its face, no. But what was eliminated I’d deem essential, and dolling out a rating without considering that context seems borderline sacrilegious. May Holdeneye forgive me.
Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: Dying Victims Productions
Websites: dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com | instagram.com/blackevilmetal
Releases Worldwide: October 25th, 2024
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