Necronomicon (Ca) - Advent of the Human God

Artist: Necronomicon (Ca)
Release Title: Advent of the Human God
Year: 2016
Label: Season of Mist
Genre: Death/Black Metal
Tracklisting:
1. The Descent
2. Advent of the Human God
3. The Golden Gods
4. Okkultis Trinity
5. Unification of the Pillars
6. Crown of Thorns
7. The Fjord
8. Gaia
9. I (Bringer Of Light)
10. Innocence and Wrath (Celtic Frost cover)
11. Alchemy of the Avatar

The fifth album from Canadian death/black metallers Necronomicon shows that their rigid schedule of releases is certainly working for them as this is perhaps their best effort yet. From the onset this here is set-up mostly around their dynamic mixture of blackened death metal that’s been at the forefront of their sound for so long. Taking the deep churning rhythms and frantic blasting patterns normally associated with more death metal efforts while offering technically-challenging rhythms to run alongside them, it usually gives this a wholly dynamic and appealing taste before it adds on the addition of the swirling tremolo patterns to add on a rather impressive black metal aesthetic against the tight rhythms. With all that riff-work being quite enjoyable, it’s the nicely-handled usage of the cinematic-sounding keyboards peppered throughout the tracks as this one doesn’t relying heavily on them at all, keeping them to select sections or omitted altogether which is highly enjoyable here and keeps this running along very well. The main problem with all of this is the fact that there’s just no real variation here with this one tending to sound quite similar to each other at times as this one just tends to go through rather route and familiar patterns without really changing up all that often except to offer some minor symphonic accents. That’s a minor note against this one which does tend to hold it back, as well as the constant instrumental interludes that pop up here that really hurts the feel and pacing here. These here are what hold this one down slightly.

The first half here sets this one up incredibly well. Instrumental intro ‘The Descent’ features grandiose symphonic keyboards and choirs leading through dramatic build-up patterns leading directly into the title track carrying the grandiose symphonics alongside blistering drumming and tight, ravenous riff-work swirling through tremolo-pitched rhythms as the clanging symphonic keyboards continually dive through surging tempos that carries along into the majestic finale for a wholly impressive opening offering. ‘The Golden Gods’ whips through utterly pounding drumming and unrelenting technically-challenging tremolo riff-work marching along at a feverish pace with plenty of intense rhythms twisting along through the driving riff-work and bludgeoning drumming throughout the final half for another impressive highlight. The instrumental interlude ‘Okkultis Trinity’ offers extended cinematic keyboard samples and noise that builds a majestic vibe with the choirs into ‘Unification of the Pillars’ as the frenzied riffing and crashing drumming blast into a fervent, blistering tempo with the blast-beats bringing the chaotic patterns along into the scorching up-tempo riff-work buzzing along with dynamic stuttering rhythms and epic keyboards washing along into the final half for a stand-out track. ‘Crown of Thorns’ an epic symphonic chorus leads into deep, charging riff-work with blackened melodies and tight, frenzied drumming blasting throughout the frenetic technical riff-work with the swirling rhythms and darker atmospheres keeping the frantic patterns along through the symphonic finale for another strong track.

The second half here is much like the first half overall. ‘The Fjord’ uses a light acoustic intro with plenty of rolling drumming and deep churning riff-work holding the steady pace as the added symphonic keyboards add a majestic quality to the simplistic riffing that kicks into higher gear in the solo section leading through the final half for an enjoyable and more laid-back effort. The interlude ‘Gaia’ features a light rumbling noise and haunting keyboards that leave a majestic air that leads into ‘I (Bringer of Light)’ that blazes through tight, rumbling drumming and mid-tempo tremolo riffing through frantic paces keeps the tight rhythms alongside the brimstone-fueled riff-work taking the tight thumping drumming in lockstep with the mid-tempo rhythms as the frantic buzzing riffing leads through the finale for another overall strong effort. Their Celtic Frost cover ‘Innocence And Wrath’ offers bombastic keyboards and pounding rhythms running along the plodding pace, yet doesn’t capture the real tone of the original and really doesn’t serve much of a purpose being there. Album-closer ‘Alchemy of the Avatar’ brings tight, swirling tremolo riffing and blistering drumming marching along at a frantic pace as the dynamic drumming brings along the thunderous blasting with plenty of tight, steady riff-work with the symphonics leading into the bombastic rhythms of the steady final half for a strong lasting note.

Though this one does tend to run into overly familiar patterns from their past and the frequent interludes can disrupt the flow somewhat, this is still a wholly strong and impactful collection of tracks that stands as their best effort yet and makes for an easy pick for fans of the band or this style as a whole.

Score: 88/100

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http://necronomiconbm.bandcamp.com/releases