Reviewer: Chris

Release Date: March 29, 2010
Label: Relapse Records

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments:

Culted - Of Death and Ritual EP

TRACK LISTING

1.  Spirituosa
2.  Black Cough, Black Coffin
3.  Dissent
4.  Whore (Swans cover)

Total playing time:  25:34

The Canadian black/doom outfit known as Culted issues its second effort in the form of an EP titled Of Death and Ritual. Up to now my exposure to the black-doom genre has been limited to quite forgettable bands growling superfluously over droning background noise in an attempt to create some forlorn atmosphere. Culted is a gifted exception. The quartet allows its music to swallow whole the entire area and leave you with those heavy chords throbbing in your head and chest for some time afterward.

Very dark in delivery and even darker in atmosphere, Of Death and Ritual is somewhat reminiscent of a funeral dirge, especially evident on the “Black Cough, Black Coffin” track, which alienates the brightness and light from any given room this happens to be playing in inside your home. Daniel Jansson’s vocals are a raspy whisper, creating a mood of caustic fear, only to be subdued by the hauntingly serene mid-section that seems to breathe life back into the otherwise stifling surroundings. While not so much a depressing sound per se, the mood is certainly set in one of despondence and sorrow while retaining just enough energy to be a cut above the suicidal black genre. The Swans cover of “Whore” is pretty intense as well, definitely stamping Culted’s indelible mark on the track. 

With a rawer production than most doom acts supply, it doesn’t leave you feeling empty or cheated with its sound; the music can cut into your psyche just perfectly through the muddling D-chords that resound like a muffled mallet on a large metal pipe. While bordering slightly on the sludge genre, Culted doesn’t necessarily cross that line completely, though the slow, intense pathway is pretty close without the complete crossover. It’s brooding and enchanting at the same time, making for a good experience for the listener. Fans of some of the newer Southern Lord bands might dig this one as it’s quite heavy on the “heavy” aspect. 

I’d say that the black-doom area has become slightly more blackened with Culted’s emergence, and they shouldn’t be overlooked in seeking out some fine speaker-shaking tunes.

April 5, 2010