Back in action for Aran Angmar.
Barely two years after their last release, Lord Abagor (vocals, Saille, ex-DunkelNacht), Maahes (guitar/bass) and Alessandro Cupici (drums) are already unveiling Ordo Diabolicum, their third album.
The band is completed by Androniki Skoula (vocals, Chaostar), Spyros Apostolou (vocals, Exilium Noctis, ex-Aenaon) and Jaroslaw Niemiec (folk instruments, Saratan).
The band kicks off with the epic Dungeons of the Damned, a first composition with imposing but relatively melodious riffs, complemented by furious vocal parts, then by backing vocals that add that rather marked folk touch to the chorus. We also have a few more soaring passages on the program, such as the introduction to Aeon Ablaze, where we find polyphonic guttural vocals and a few murmurs and percussion before the riffs come back to hit us before imposing themselves in the company of howls. The composition remains divided between these two universes before giving way to Ordo Diabolicum, where it once again becomes more imposing and remains fairly constant despite a slowdown that allows it to display mysterious and melancholic touches, then a final blaze leads us to Hêl?l ben-Ša?ar where the haunting roots are once again at work. We also sense that the guitarist’s Greek touch is complemented by Stefano Viola (who has since joined the band), then Crown of the Gods returns to massive violence, at least for the first part before returning to polyphonic vocals. Rage and majestic sounds walk hand in hand, following the massive, sometimes martially-influenced rhythm, before Chariots of Death offers us a moment’s respite with a soothing clean sound, before returning to saturation and its fluctuating speed, allowing the harmonics to take on other, more heady hues, notably during the unhealthy, suffocating break before the final charge that joins the virulent Primordial Fire. If the band initially goes on the rampage, it then becomes more moderate and anchored in its catchy Folk roots, before blending the two worlds and then bursting into flames thanks to jerky riffs that finally turn into a danceable interlude before Vae Victis, where the rhythm remains fairly moderate while deploying its catchiest tones, as well as energetic drums to keep us on our toes while the musicians accompany us on the album’s final moments.
Aran Angmar‘s musical orientation remains the same, skilfully blending its Balkan folk touches with massive Black/Death. Ordo Diabolicum will have no trouble captivating you, and promises impressive live shows!
90/100