Constellatia unveils their second album.
Formed in 2018 in South Africa by Keenan Oakes (vocals/bass) and Gideon Lamprecht (guitar), the duo released a debut album in 2020, then hired Adam Hill (guitar) and signed with Season of Mist for the release of Magisterial Romance.
Drums were recorded by Frank Schilperoort (God Dethroned, The Scarlet Claw, Veile, ex-Shining, ex-Devious…).
The album starts with Palace and its very soft sounds which slowly progress until welcoming raw vocals in its sound haze, then the drums get stronger and drive us to this climax of intensity, before a soaring break which suddenly ignites to reveal all the Post-Black roots’ strength. Epic leads join the oppressive but rhythmic mix, then In Vituperation takes over with another fix of soothing airy melodies. Vocals quickly come into the sound to offer its darkness while the soft but jerky rhythmic pattern does its work by placing haunting tones, then Black Metal riffs explode all at once before allowing us a moment of respite, emerging again from the void. The visceral howls guide us to Adorn, where the band welcomes Alison Rachel and Skye MacInnes from Honeymoan to create a heady diversity to its dark sounds, mixing its guests’ Pop influences with its melancholic basis which can be felt a lot in the most virulent parts. The contrast is striking, but it will eventually calm down before Paean Emerging floods us with majestic dissonant sounds which can also slow down to place softer elements, which are just waiting to explode again to release all their rage. Leads offer them this opportunity while placing heady heavy elements, then vocals will reveal a raw strength before a suffocating final.
Constellatia‘s universe is made of a duality between soothing softness and visceral sounds, allowing the band to unveil diversified roots to make Magisterial Romance an intense and unique album which is mandatory to listen to.
90/100
