Centuries Of Deception are the solo creation of the dark soul Atrox. Created because of a held disgust for the new wave of black metal bands upon us today, Atrox, through Centuries Of Deception, wants to create music that 'projected pure blackness and pain', and in this, he succeeds greatly.

Some will cringe at the use of a drum machine, although I do not find it obtrusive, some may. The programming ranges from blasting to short bursts, bass heavy at times, and effectively placed overall.

The beginning track -Deep In The Void Of Blackness....- is a semi-slow brooding song, short bursts of bass heavy drums, and weird acoustics fill the background, sick vocals are displayed prominently over them all. The song inspires a inner hatred within oneself, a blackened atmosphere from start to finish.

-...There Is No Peace Here...- starts off with a faster approach, this time the drums are blasting, while the vocals remain oddly mid-paced, a darkened melody can be heard buried within, less effective then the first track, but toward the middle picks up some and continues with a truly sickened display of vocal animosity.

The third work -...Only War And Hate Survived...- begins similar to the previous song, the drums are blasting, the song overall, even the vocals, sound faster paced, probably the fastest paced song on the album, with a number of notable parts, although short at just over two minutes.

-...May I Be Laid To Rest...-, is truly another work of greatness, similar to the first track only in its effectiveness at creating a primitive (despite the 'modern' drum machine), grim atmosphere, the vocal performance on this track it as sick as its predecessors, although this time blend together flawlessly for an even greater effect.

Overall, this is a triumph of what black metal should inspire, the feelings, emotions, and atmospheres this work contains is black metal in its blackest form, fours works of blackened art.

Personal Favorites: Deep In The Void Of Blackness; ...May I Be Laid To Rest...

© 1999 alasdor