Animus Mortis - Atrabilis (Residues from Verb and Flesh)

August 26, 2008

Reviewer: Peter

Sometimes, in order to find good black metal, one would have to go to the least likely places for such music.  Animus Mortis is one of those bands in that respect, hailing from Chile.  Their debut album Atrabilis (Residues from Verb and Flesh) is bringing the old school black metal to today’s times and do so with such ability that one would think that this was recorded back in the days when Mayhem, Emperor, and Burzum ruled the scene.

From a music standpoint, Animus Mortis doesn’t truly offer anything new, but what they do offer is black metal that is designed to cause much stress on the eardrums.  The opening track “Ambivalent Aura” is basically an instrumental whose sole purpose is to provide calm before the storm feeling.  The album begins in earnest, with “Hosannas from the Depths”, which really sets the tone for the rest of the album with its relentless style of black metal.  There aren’t really any atmospheric elements to speak of apart from “Ambivalent Aura”, but any that show are done entirely with guitars instead of synthesizers, something that Dissection did well in its heyday.  The vocals are very good, but the real star of the album is the guitar work.  The guitars are versatile, whether it is adding chill-inducing elements to songs such as “My Ashes Inside” or just going straight black metal on songs such as “Thresholds of Insanity” and “Ethereal Dimensions”.  The drumming is okay, but is hindered somewhat by the raw production values.  The same production values also enhance the guitar sound, furthering its value to the album.  In an overall sense, one could easily mistake Atrabilis (Residues from Verb and Flesh) for something that Dissection would have done had the follow-up for Storm of the Lights Bane happened sooner.

Overall, Atrabilis (Residues from Verb and Flesh) is an excellent tribute to the black metal of old.  Nothing compromising can be found within the eight tracks of black metal that draws its influences from Dissection and Emperor.  If Animus Mortis can further its sound, there’s no telling where they can go.  A definite must for fans of Dissection, Animus Mortis is determined to get the country of Chile on the map and they may just succeed with albums like Atrabilis (Residues from Verb and Flesh).

Release Date: January 31th, 2008
Label: Debemur Morti Prod.

TRACK LISTING

1.  Ambivalent Aura
2.  Hosannas from the Depths
3.  My Ashes Inside
4.  Dying Murmur
5.  Among the Phlegm of God
6.  Ethereal Splendour
7.  Splendour Ruins
8.  Thresholds of Insanity

Total playing time: 34:48

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