Deathspell Omega - Kénose

*=Staff's pick	I* II* III*

Genre	Black Metal	Mikko Aspa	Vocals
Tracks	3	Hasjarl	Guitar
Runningtime	36 Min.	-	Guitar
Label	Norma Evangelium Diaboli	-	Bass
Release	08 May 2005	-	Drums
Country	France	-	Keyboards
Similar artists	---

Few are the bands that remain their statues as unknown to the world. Deathspell Omega is perhaps the most spectacular example of what happens when the musicians in a band let the music speak for itself. There are moments when the music gets deeper than the mind needed to understand it. Well, perhaps not so deep but the abyss that the Kénose album strives to crawl up from seems to be far beyond the sunrays. Kénose is the immediate follower to the eminent Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice that means, "if you require a sign, look around". The first part of the conceptual work, Send Me To Hell that now also includes, Kénose and From Entrails To The Dirt EP.

The material that Deathspell Omega present feels very well planned and serious. The religious aspects of the music and the lyrics cast a real dark shadow over this work and summons vibes that few bands in this genre, if any, achieve. The running time stops at thirty-six minutes and the album consists of three types of mighty eposes, so its quite long songs we talk about here. The ingredients of the songs are well-arranged, slow parts versus more up-tempo that often lead us to the part where the music ends up in chaotic fury and speed. All these parts combined make this into a unity, solid and as certain as the very foundation of life and death. All three acts are masterpieces in each way, but if I have to choose one as the most genius one it must be the second song. A dreadful work of art with all necessary elements to bring forth the blasphemous winds that eat your stereo from within. Blend the deep and dark essence from Watain's 'Casus Luciferi' or Mayhem's 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas' album and the intensity from Immortals 'Pure Holocaust', or why not the 'Salvation' album by Funeral Mist, and you are at the border to the realm in which Kénose reigns. Lay to this the excellent voice from Mikko Aspa, the deadliest voice and lunges breathing. Arrangements on percussion, bass and guitar compositions are extremely well done and produced in a way that makes the music just. The thing about the music on Kénose aren't about any technical achievements, it's about getting the tones to the feelings, thoughts and philosophy that dwells in the darker sides in mans knowledge. Just listen to the nearly four minute instrumental introduction in the first song and the choir that it all ends up in before it gets really malicious.

Kénose wont disappoint anyone who understood the Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice album. The differences are minor, Kénose is heavier, slower and almost progressive in many ways. Surely there are bands that can play booth harder and faster and scream out their devotion to the hellish father, but there are few or none that do it in the convincing way that is told and presented on the Kénose album. Kénose is a salvation - either you get embraced by the religious aspects or just want great extreme music with a meaning. I bow and capitulate for this album, as it is perfection.

Production	Vocals	Compositions
7	10	10

Summary
10 chalices of 10 - Tim