CD Review: Mutilation Rites – Empyrean

Written by Colin McNamara Monday, 06 August 2012 15:30

Artist: Mutilation Rites
Title: Empyrean
Genre: Black Metal
Release Date: 22nd May 2012
Label: Prosthetic Records

Album Review

MUTILATION RITES’ debut full length ‘Empyrean’ brings Black Metal back to the cold and evil atmospheric tradition that populated groups like early DARKTHRONE, DRUAGAR, and even XASTHUR with a bit less distortion but all sorts of mystical readings. From titles like ‘Realms Of Dementia’ to ‘Broken Axis’, the satanic side is subliminally wormed into the songs and a bit less overt than a group like SARGEIST would put out there, but as far as understanding those messages, it might be easier said than done. While MUTILATION RITES does a good job of going between fast and dirty riffs to slow, pulsing Doom passages that would make EVOKEN proud such as on ‘Ancient Bloodbath’- one of the album’s longer tracks- the album vocal work is almost indecipherable. During the higher pitched screeching it just sounds like that versus the lower throated snarls which are a little bit better, but not by much. As said before, XASTHUR had this talent as well, but what lacked in translation was made up by atmosphere, and MUTLIATION RITES just don’t quite hit the spot when it comes to atmosphere.

Sure there are the epic, drawn out riffs mixed into tracks like ‘Fogwarning’ and ‘Broken Axis’ which do a nice job of showcasing the band’s growth from fast to slow, but during the faster sections it just feels like the vocals and music clash together. The exception is on ‘Dead Years’ which shows a bit of Black n’ Roll influence that has a bit more groove without losing the blasphemy and twisted tone of the music. If there is one thing old school fans can appreciate, it is the raw power of how evil the music can sound. Still, for most fans of modern Black Metal who are used to crisp, clean production and a bit more melody involved, then this may not suit them as much because the raw production will probably leave them bored because all they will hear are poorly produced vocals and guitars with some bits of drums. For those who don’t mind distortion and prefer a raw, almost demo outfit of sound, MUTILATION RITES will certainly bring back the feeling of the 90s with a bit of experimental Sludge tones to them to give rest periods between all the insanity of the noise.


Tracklist

01. A Season of Grey Rain - 5:28
02. Realms of Dementia - 4:26
03. Ancient Bloodoath - 7:39
04. Fogwarning - 5:05
05. Dead Years - 6:19
06. Broken Axis - 6:36


Line-up

Justin Ennis- Drums
George Paul- Guitars, Vocals
Michael Dimmitt- Guitars
Ryan Jones- Bass


Website

https://www.facebook.com/mutilationritesnyc


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 6
Sound: 6
Total: 6 / 10