Ex Oblivion (Epictural Productions / Season Of Mist)

 “Ex Oblivion” is the second and latest full length of this extreme and symphonic French quintet formed in 2003. Musically the band delivers at this brand new opus a magnificent and quite pompous form of Black Metal in the finest mid to late 90’s tendency, featuring some visible influences of bands such Dimmu Borgir and Cradle Of Filth… “Ex Oblivion” consists in ten compositions of fast paced, ornate and complex Black Metal, where the brutal combination between the unmerciful, precise and varied drumming and the electric, sharpened riffing becomes protagonist. The vocals on this album are magisterially performed by Spleen, the only female member on the band, her ripping and hateful shrieks are definitely outstanding and enormously contribute with one of the most evil sounding elements of the whole disc. The symphonic elements are present along the entire album in shape of bombastic interludes and some phantasmagoric keyboard atmospheres, which accurately complements the obscure, sharpened and metallic proposal of this band creating an interesting balance between melody, atmosphere and Black Metal. The album’s artwork is well achieved, while the whole production is completely powerful and crystal clear sounding, making of this release a really fine and interesting piece of obscure art… “Ex Oblivion” is a powerful and beautiful release that will easily catch the attention of the most symphonic, ornate and complex side of the Black Metal audience. Grim, chaotic and nihilistic Black Metal diehards may not be as pleased, but I would strongly recommend to everyone into Black Metal to take a listen to this record, there is brutality and obscurity enough here to fill at least a big part of every corpse-painting fan’s expectations… (AP)