Servant’s brilliance shines once again.
Active since 2021, the band led by Farago (guitar/vocals, Übergang), Samael (guitar), Thanatos (bass), and Apophis (drums) – all of them are also members of Under the Night Sky – is already releasing its fourth album, Lux Ex Inferis, with continued support from AOP Records.
The album opens with the mysterious In Noctem, a fairly short introductory track that has a unique knack for creating a mystical atmosphere through the interplay of choirs, guitars, and percussion, unhesitatingly letting distortion add a dreamy touch just as on Tabula Rasa, where it is immediately more prominent, but also, and above all, more energetic. The vocals bring a touch of visceral intensity, at times slightly chaotic, that fits the track perfectly while allowing the harmonics to soar all the way to Glorification, a new track that also develops its aggressive approach and gives pride of place to intense screams, sometimes tinged with a heavy echo. The keyboards occasionally soften the mix alongside the leads, but even the break can’t prevent the return of the virulent sounds before Thanatos, Embrace of the Night captivates us with its misty riffs paired with devastating drums. This track also features a long pause, designed to let us lift our heads out of the darkness before plunging back in for one final surge that propels us all the way to De Profundis, where the fury strikes immediately, allowing the band to deliver one of its most direct tracks. Although highly melodic, the choruses are not immune to this heady rage, while Lux Fulget with its rather raw Old-School roots takes over next, sweeping us in turn into its torrent of unholy darkness until the saving break, followed, of course, by the eternal return of the flames. Of Stones, Sleep and Death grants us a few moments of respite before bursting into flames for good, but here again the keyboards are ever-present, ensuring ethereal tones in certain sections and creating that intoxicating contrast until The Accuser comes along to subvert it with a more accessible, catchy approach. You can still sense the mystical edge working in the background to rival the aggression, but the album is already coming to a close with Hypnos I See You, which wastes no time charming us with its leads before charging ahead and, once again, sweeping us away in its dark waves to bring the album to a close while offering us an incredible atmosphere.
There’s no doubt that Servant’s evolution has been more than beneficial for them, allowing the band to deliver one of its finest performances to date on Lux Ex Inferis. The musicians are always on the move, and I hope their new compositions will help them reach even more stages.
90/100
