Metal Temple
by Garrett Davis
“Black Cult” is the effort of two prominent members of the Croatian Black Metal scene – self-described as the heaviest of the modern Black Metal scenes. Insanus wrote all of the music – except for the final track, which is a MOTÖRHEAD cover – whilst Morbid wrote the lyrics. The album as a whole is best described as Satanic Melodic Black Metal. It has this really oppressive feel but it doesn’t smother you with it; somehow it manages to be on the more “accessible” end of the spectrum, despite how pervasive the dark tone is.
“Black Cathedral” is a strong opener; with demonic and screeching voices setting the tone for the LP. “Dark Matter” might be a standout of the album for me; with rapid guitar work that sets an unsettling tone before the drums drop and the atmosphere goes from eerie to harsh with the help of some devilishly good vocals.“Undeath” in particular has a Melodic tilt and includes a nice guitar solo about halfway through that isn’t as crushing as you might expect. The solo is light and Melodic, but also powerful. “Gaze of Insanity”starts off fast and strong, building intensity until it is railing against you like a bat out of hell.
If you have any love for Black Metal, do not make the mistake of passing up “Cathedral of the Black Cult”. As far as Black Metal fans are concerned, there is something for everyone here, with different tempos and intensities throughout. There are some awesome tonal changes and great riffs that keep the album fun rather than just a hardcore slugfest. “Kingdom of the Worm”is a killer cover and a fun way to wrap up the album with a brutal reinterpretation of a classic. If you find yourself in the mood for a little Satanic Black Metal, look no further, because BLACK CULT will scratch that itch and reignite it over and over again.
Songwriting: 9
Originality: 7
Memorability: 9
Production: 9