Deathspell Omega – Drought EP review

They’ve never released an official band roster; they don’t tour; and their website is perpetually “under construction.” If there was ever a band that didn’t want to be seen as a band per say or allow anything to distract from the messages in their music, Deathspell Omega is the prime example.

A black metal band from France, Deathspell Omega focuses their music and lyrics around the theoretical nature of man’s relationship with God and Satan, as well as the Almighty’s connection to His first fallen angel. Over the last few years they’ve released three LP’s comprising a trilogy based on, among other things, Satanism, existentialism, Christian Theology, and their belief that they comprehend the mysteries held within. If this seems all too much to absorb at once, consider the only text adorning their homepage:

“Ere thou enter farther in such mysteries, comprehend:

The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him and He will make them know His covenant.

Cursed is he that removeth awaye the marke of hys master to please men and not to serve in secrecy.

Amen.”

Apparent in their approach to language is the aptitude for combing Old English with Latin and of course, French.

How then does all this relate to the music itself?

This is prog rock at its uttermost experimental.

On 2012’s EP, Drought, Deathspell Omega pickup where they left off on their previous albums. The majority of the record is filled with righteous, stomach churning riffs; drums played with the power of Thor’s hammer; and a man singing so hoarse he appears to be releasing the world’s longest burp. The band thumps and rages its way from one song to the next with hardly a pause. It’s either the world’s most brutal mosh pit soundtrack or an exhausting lobotomy via the ear canal.

Drought literally sounds like it was born from the mouth of hell.

There are some redeeming qualities to Drought however. It’s mercifully only twenty minutes long and, honestly, some of the music isn’t atrocious. Deathspell Omega certainly creates an imposing mood and get their message of fire and brimstone across.

Now if only we could understand what they’re saying.