Nine years of silence have come to an end for Christ Agony.
Still led by Cezary “Cezar” Augustynowicz (guitar/bass/vocals, Faustus), the band has enlisted Dariusz ‘Daray’ Brzozowski (Black River, Hunter, Symbolical, ex-Vader, ex-Vesania, live for Dimmu Borgir…) and Dominik “August” Augustyn (Genius Ultor, ex-Deception…) on drums for its ninth album, Anthems, released by Deformeathing Production.
Empire of Twilight is the first track presented to us, starting with an ominous introduction, then moving into a more majestic sound in which the roars come to life and reinforce the aggressive side, while the rhythm continues to weigh down the atmosphere. There are a few accelerations led by devastating drums, but also choruses that we can already imagine bringing people together and which will eventually lead us to Throne of Eternal Silence and its didgeridoo introduction by Mateusz “V” Kujawa (BaarRa, Jarun). The choirs come into play and complement the massive riffs, which become increasingly dissonant, causing us to lose our bearings and hypnotizing us as they progress towards a martial march that joins the disturbing outro, then lets Sanctuary of Death take over. The track offers epic harmonics that will not leave fans of solid but soaring riffs indifferent, while also offering more raw passages, especially towards the end, then it’s with a slightly more mystical approach that Rites of the Black Sun begins and captivates us in turn. We find that intoxicating old-school touch coupled with more haunting melodies that create an almost reassuring coldness that surrounds us and guides our progress, joining Dark Waters after a few strange noises. The track remains fairly dark in tone but also allows itself a few touches of softness, such as the acoustic passages that counterbalance the moments of fury where the vocalist lets loose accompanied by wild choirs, until reaching an airy final that lasts, but which suddenly ends to give way to Nocturnal Dominion and its soothing introduction. The softness finally takes on a dark saturation to create a constant rhythm that naturally makes you bang your head, and even when it becomes more welcoming again, it knows how to ignite once more, as in the finale where it breathes its last breath.
For this comeback, Christ Agony has chosen an occult and mystical approach that the band cultivates in darkness, but also sometimes in brutality. Far from being just another Black Metal album, Anthems will first hypnotize you before hitting you with full force.
90/100