Mysteriis
About The Christian Despair
[Demise]
As one of Brasilian black metal’s new blood, Mysteriis have won over quite a few admirers in their corner, which naturally prompted me to pick this up when I found it lying around the racks a few weeks ago. Naturally, I had my doubts, especially considering the fact that Demise had signed the Beelzebub-accursed, repulsively bad Unholy Flames to a deal. I suppose it was the fiercely antichrist cover artwork that got me hot under my pants, or the rather theatrical photos on the back cover that compelled me to purchase this, but alas, money wasted yet again.
Mysteriis’ form of black metal is not one that requires arduous description. Mysteriis are very much influenced by the Norwegian school of extremity, and this is more than apparent in this most tedious of recordings. Opening with a rather typical, militaristic synth-drum intro, we are thrust into a cascade of brooding synths and Norwegian chord choices, coupled with some rather generic vocals, bereft of identity. Synths feature very highly on this release, reinforcing the grandiose chord choices.
Mysteriis are decent songwriters for the most part, and for the most part tug themselves above being dismal Norsecore drones. The mournful and grandiose riffs and the eerie synth work impart a sense of majesty to the tracks, but it is a superficial, stale majesty that has been exhibited countless times in the past. It can be argued that Mysteriis can pen a semi-decent tune, but ultimately they fare no better than most poor attempts at Nordic emulation. Everything becomes very, very stale and contrived after 20 odd minutes. Another major complaint is how they refute the musical influence of their Brasilian predecessors, this could easily pass off as a European release, as there are no indigenous musical elements to be seen here at all. With such illustrious forefathers as Mystifier, Necrofago, Mutilator and Expulser, why they chose to emulate Norwegian heroes is beyond this reviewer. Perhaps my harshness stems from such an annoyance, considering I’m quite the fan of Brasilian extremity.
Lyrically this treads the path of countless other South American outfits, a primitive antichrist ethos shines rather passionately through the broken English diatribe, and that should be commended at the very least. Photos are rather silly, and all in all this is a release you can miss, unless you can stomach some terribly generic Nordic black metal. Strike two for Demise Records, I say, although this one fares much better than the absolutely abysmal tragedy we call Unholy Flames.
[ 5 ]
© 2000 equimanthorn
Mysteriis’ form of black metal is not one that requires arduous description. Mysteriis are very much influenced by the Norwegian school of extremity, and this is more than apparent in this most tedious of recordings. Opening with a rather typical, militaristic synth-drum intro, we are thrust into a cascade of brooding synths and Norwegian chord choices, coupled with some rather generic vocals, bereft of identity. Synths feature very highly on this release, reinforcing the grandiose chord choices.
Mysteriis are decent songwriters for the most part, and for the most part tug themselves above being dismal Norsecore drones. The mournful and grandiose riffs and the eerie synth work impart a sense of majesty to the tracks, but it is a superficial, stale majesty that has been exhibited countless times in the past. It can be argued that Mysteriis can pen a semi-decent tune, but ultimately they fare no better than most poor attempts at Nordic emulation. Everything becomes very, very stale and contrived after 20 odd minutes. Another major complaint is how they refute the musical influence of their Brasilian predecessors, this could easily pass off as a European release, as there are no indigenous musical elements to be seen here at all. With such illustrious forefathers as Mystifier, Necrofago, Mutilator and Expulser, why they chose to emulate Norwegian heroes is beyond this reviewer. Perhaps my harshness stems from such an annoyance, considering I’m quite the fan of Brasilian extremity.
Lyrically this treads the path of countless other South American outfits, a primitive antichrist ethos shines rather passionately through the broken English diatribe, and that should be commended at the very least. Photos are rather silly, and all in all this is a release you can miss, unless you can stomach some terribly generic Nordic black metal. Strike two for Demise Records, I say, although this one fares much better than the absolutely abysmal tragedy we call Unholy Flames.
[ 5 ]
© 2000 equimanthorn