The well-matched zeal of the duo Dagon (vocals, guitars, keyboards) and Incubus (drums) is one of the most important aspects of the band and the virtuoso style is fully displayed on the album’s opening track. “Witchcraft within a Gothic Tomb” delivers a grand array of blazing tremolo riffs, blast beats and catchy melodies. The rapid guitar work is rather played straightforwardly on the next song, “Crown of Light and Constellations”. The impressive tremolo sections become the driving force, but Inquisition unprecedentedly focuses on creating a rich atmosphere, where the slow guitar hooks drip with ethereal chords.

The scathing majesty of the second wave of black metal and the composing work of the duo explore ways of blending catchy rhythm with signature elements is enhanced by the sleek guitar work. The drumming is quite balanced throughout the album. The blasting sections of Incubus on the track “A Hidden Ceremony of Blood and Flesh” emphasize the coherent transition between the mid-tempo and the faster sections. And it seems that Inquisition has continued where they left off on the previous album “Black Mass for a Mass Grave”. The melodies on the newest album appear to expand from the unique craft, while other songs like “Force of Death is the Force of Life” are bewitching and misanthropic.

The froggy tone of Dagon along with the rapid riffing resulting in some breakneck and furious drumming moves into an aggressive tempo with the riffing ferocity adding viciousness to the music. The songs on the album tackle the kind of formula that Inquisition is accustomed to, with the cosmic atmosphere created by the crafty melodies on “Memories within an Empty Castle in Ruins” insert chord-laden hooks. The use of the lead guitars and fast drumming perfectly contrast to the dark cosmic style of Inquisition, the guitar tone is unique and works harmoniously with the atmosphere overall.

“Primordial Philosophy and Pure Spirit” shows the fantastic guitar technique, the song also has a mid-pacing section where the focus is brought on the uncanny melodies, and the drumming of Incubus is an amalgam of different styles. While the track “Infinity is the Aeon of Satan” exhibits marvelous songwriting prowess, from the groovy black metal riffs and the overture of the melodic lead guitars. The combination of old-school black metal and proggy rock elements then shifts into catchy sonic metamorphosis, some of the songs deliver straightforward melodies with fast blasting beats.

Inquisition possesses a unique sonic pattern, the melodies of the lead guitars, and the fat tone of the bass guitar are very catchy and despite the subtle use of these two elements each song turned out to be quite distinctive.

“Pathway of Light is a Pathway to Fire” is a short instrumental cut that shows the splendid work of the guitar. And it is followed by “Light of My Dark Essence” which is a very groovy black metal song and is maintained by a coherent work of the duo, the groovy riffs and the mid-pacing drums are skillfully crafted. The furious onslaught of the drums on “Secrets from the Wizard Forest of Forbidden Knowledge” integrates ethereal qualities as the lead guitar soars over the backdrop of Dagon’s wicked vocals. Though I found the vocals lacking the tone when compared to the previous songs.

Blizzard riffs open furiously in the track “Sorcery through Crystal Eyes in Search of the Devil”. The similarities to Immortal are rather clear and distinctive while the melodies are always soaring and adding textures to the framework of the song. And the tempo changes are well-balanced on this song, and there is a high level of focus concerning the fast drumming work.

The eponymous “Veneration of Medieval Mysticism and Cosmological Violence” is more mid-paced, the slow traditional approach to black metal on this glorious track see Inquisition combining plenty of catchy guitar patterns. The melodic structure of the song emerges mid-way through this epic song, the melodies are all frontal, yet they offer a meditative cosmic quality and the ethereal textures are brought stunningly into the composition.

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