Black Mass

Occult Metal

Do you like Mercyful Fate? You'll adore this then!

Most people know this band for their industrial metal releases on their later output, but their 80s output is far more interesting. Out of the three studio albums that we can attribute to the Black Metal context, this one is by far the most accomplished one.

Some people go one step further, and call this band a Horror Metal band, which is very understandable, because god damn, this becomes really scary at times. What is it with Italian bands and horror? They are really good at it.

The occult driven approach to the lyrics is very primitive (in the veins of Black Widow!) but in some songs it does work!

The most obvious band similar to this is of course Mercyful Fate (especially in the guitar parts) but I think at some moments this band actually surpasses the legendary Danish act! For example, the vocals are much more accessible to everyone.

This album is filled to the brim with gems, but the highlight is definitely "In the Darkness". Seriously guys, that solo! Those vocals, and that glorious bass line. The only hard to like song is probably the album closer, which is too dramatic and theatre-like. Also, it's way too long, and doesn't have a very memorable riff or vocal line.

All in all, very very good, recommended to Necrodeath, Mortuary Drape and Mercyful Fate lovers.