Drakon Darshan Satan

Nox Formulae - “Drakon Darshan Satan” 2020

Nox Formulae
“Drakon Darshan Satan”

Origin: Athens, Attica, Greece

Genre: Occult Black Metal

Label: Dark Descent Records

Just beneath the surface from where the titans of the Greek black metal scene reign: Rotting Christ and Varathron, Lucifer’s Child and Yoth Iria, within the fabled underground where the practice of magick and the creation of true esoteric black metal are the way, you’ll discover genuine Satanic collectives whose occult practices and musical ventures intertwine. Thy Darkened Shade honor Lucifer while Serpent Noir and Nox Formulae draw inspiration from Qliphoth and Draconian Current.

It’s been said in so many words by esteemed Occultist and founder of Dragon Rouge, Thomas Karlsson, that true black metal is for the harnessing of dark energy. I’m inclined to agree. Black metal’s second wave roots are founded in Theistic Satanism, and it makes sense that only the genre’s most genuine artists are themselves true believers. Nox Formulae - established in 2016 - are of this particular conglomerate. In 2020, the Athenian coven unveiled their latest offering, “Drakon Darshan Satan”, via Dark Descent.

As with most black metal albums of this variety, unpredictability is the name of the game. We’re talking BM that is musically brilliant and ever-spanning over a myriad of varying influences. The music in and of itself is enough to captivate, astonish even, but this is all collateral, for you see, Nox Formulae are a band whose albums, such as their latest, are created with a purpose - the expression of spiritualism and the channeling of magick. “Drakon Darshan Satan” feels a bit like Serpent Noir’s “Death Clan OD” as far as energy and rhythm - its aura as crimson as blood - elaborate percussive pulses to drive every diabolical passage forward as surging riffs unfold in “Ravens of Terror”. Surgical alternations between forward motion progressions and scaling tremolos: memorable hooks, enticing melodies and fluid as Typhonian stream.

The Dragon transcends time as we know it. Its adversarial spirit has been with mankind since before the recording of history and only an adept practitioner can stream with its current. It’s been described to me as something akin to a martial art in that it requires discipline and deep focus. “Drakon Darshan Satan” exudes this type of mastery but on a musical level. You just don’t get this level of unfathomable intricacy and ritualism on the surface. Genuine Satanic black metal can never be commercialized, so its natural place is within the underground where only Sages of the genre can discover it, making albums like this one so much more than your typical hail Satan or fuck Jesus black metal record. “The Blood Oath of Thagirion” and “The Arrival of Noctifer” - the former a rare look into the realm of Qliphoth and the latter a meditative sort of ushering in of the darkness as expressed through electro beats, wailing guitars and deep chants - creativity and passion incarnate.

So as the wheels of the industry turn and as the genre itself becomes more and more commercial, the blackest flame still burns down below - esoteric pathways lain before generations by legends like Dissection and Ofermod - boldly traversed here and set to black metal of superlative musicianship and of profound lyrical connotations. True black metal! Satanic, spiritual and adversarial. Nox Formulae - newcomers to the scene but packing formidable occult-powered BM as they so graciously offer us a rare peek into the world of the forbidden and forlorn. Here’s to Satan! - The Dragon and here’s to a brave new spiritual realm unlocked…

“Experience “Eclipse of Gharrasielh” from “Drakon Darshan Satan” right here:

https://youtu.be/LIJUfBbynJU?si=4WrFkpo-mIFcpLPC

~Jeger