Krohm/Tenebrae in Perpetuum - Split

September 18, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

A new split CD featuring Italian artist Tenebrae in Perpetuum and the U.S.’s Krohm emerges with a truly somber, black experience in tow. While I’m most familiar with Krohm, the Tenebrae in Perpetuum is new to me and therefore a point of wonder and interest.

The first track from Tenebrae simply titled “I” is a sinister, melancholy piece that doesn’t do much to stimulate your inner demon, but does manage to solicit some tremendously introspective moments. The typical dismal black metal feel is evident, but once the second track kicks in a sudden wave of dilapidation hits that isn’t easily shrugged off. I can enjoy the chaotic feel to a large degree, but this seems to be more of a disheveled effort than one conceived in honest decisiveness. I like some of the layman guitar work as it sets the scene fine, but the feel gets lost quite easily for my liking.

The vocals carry a frightening, ethereal tone that borders on a howl at times, and while they do tend to get old they are perfect for the style herein. The third track blasts out like shrapnel from a detonated M-80, but then quickly subsides to a calming tone without one modicum of warning, which is quite good. I would have to say this track is my favorite because it really follows the order of the mood without drastic changes and upswings in tempo that are unnecessary or obligatory. For all of its rudimentary parts, the Tenebrae in Perpetuum is okay as a whole with some room for advancement. Out of five stars, my rating is a solid 2.5.

Krohm has always interested me since A World Through Dead Eyes, so I was anxious to hear this latest effort. This form of black metal certainly allows for some provocation of thought within the veil of seriously dim musical compositions that serve as small illuminations. I truly like Numinas’ interpretations of the cold and dark sides of the mind and soul and it comes across in caustic forms throughout his music. “The Black Bridge” is literally a jaunt across some long, blackened walkway into parts unknown, while “Toccato Dalla Dececrazione” allows for the listener to be shadowed by a foreboding aura that can quite easily fill your room.

While definitely not new to the maniac black metal fan’s ears these three tracks offer a glimpse inside the sheer horror that can often simmer within Numinas’ brain. The music is quality throughout, calling upon the very originators of the scene in mass quantities (which was the goal of Numinas from Krohm’s inception in 1995). He achieves this and then some. I truly like “Sentinel Monolith” and its fast-paced guitar work that Euronymous made so relevant back he fell down and went boom. Out of five stars, Krohm gets 3.5.

Release Date: April 30, 2010
Label: Debemur Morti

TRACK LISTING

Tenebrae in Perpetuum
1.  I
2.  II
3.  III

Krohm
4.  The Black Bridge
5.  Toccato Dalla Desecrazione
6.  Sentinel Monolith

Total playing time:  42:41

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Krohm

Tenebrae in
Perpetuum