The Sigil of Baphomet
In Times of
Demise
Onslaught Command
Blessed in Heresy
Commence the Burning of Heavens
The Nightsky Codex
Utter Cold Void
The Needles of Truth
L - vocals
S - guitars
K - drums
S - bass
(Linos - Vocals
Stefanos - Guitars
Stamos - Bass
Konstantinos - Drums)
Dark
Essence Records
distributed in Switzerland
by 
review by Artur Felicijan____ 
The Greek Satanic Black Metal scene
has a new torchbearer.
Behold! From Athens comes a storm. And the storm
is cold! In the vein of the great 90's Black Metal acts, Ravencult
strike upon us with their hateful debut, entitled "Temples of
Torment". The record released via Norwegian Dark Essence Records
could easily be recognized or mistaken for a release by some northern BM
act, as it sounds completely and utterly of Norwegian old-schoolish
ground. With a few exceptions, one could easily and without any scornful
consequences state that nowadays BM is best when coming from anywhere
else than from Scandinavia. With such poor releases Norway served us
with, bands from French (Alcest, Deathspell Omega), German (Darkened
Nocturn Slaughtercult) and as south as Greek BM scene really provide the
works that are miles and miles ahead in terms of songwriting and (most
importantly) spirit!
"Temples of Torment" is indeed a
collection of tunes Black Metal fans are all familiar with, but if the
things sound as they have to, there is nothing wrong with that. If you
enjoy listening to old Bathory or something newer, such as 1349,
Ravencult is the thing for you as it combines just that! Relentless
fury, hateful blasts and spirit of late 80's and early 90's. Sometimes
there's a glimpse of rotten blackened thrash present within the songs,
while the same moment is being "misanthropized" by cold tunes
in the vein of Burzum and Darkthrone. Actually, the album is fully
impregnated by the stench of misanthropy! The production sounds
completely right as well, as it withholds the essence of their music,
instead of making it too antiseptic what the studio normally does to
Black Metal albums.
One could argue with the fact that "Temples
of Torment" remains slightly monotonous with constant presence of
blastbeats. However, songs like In times of demise, Commence the burning of
heaven and The nightsky codex make
a great rhythmical break and make the whole album sound a bit more
diverse than it sounds for the first time. Having noticed the fact that
the cover was created by Stephen O'Malley, I would expect something more
from that aspect. Come on, it's the guy who did the Emperor and Burzum
covers. Well, it does not that much harm, but it could be better.
Some minor flaws aside, it is more than pleasing
to realize that Greek Satanic Black Metal scene has a new torchbearer!
If the true Black Metal days of Necromantia and Rotting Christ are over,
Ravencult will stand the ground!
rating: 8/10
Fav song: In times of Demise
SETHERIAL (SWE)
CORPUS CHRISTII (POR)
RAVENCULT (GRE)
European Tour 2007
05.10.07 HOL Leeuvarden @ De Gloppe 06.10.07 HOL Rotterdam @ Baroeg [+NARGAROTH, GLORIOR BELLI] 09.10.07 GER Hamburg @ Markthale 10.10.07 GER Berlin @ Alte Feuerwache Treptow 11.10.07 GER Dortmund @ Zentrum [+WATAIN, IMPIETY] 12.10.07 GER Bitterfeld @ Festung 13.10.07 GER Zwickau @ Fireblade Festival [+INQUISITION] 14.10.07 POL Szczecin @ Stara Cynkownia 17.10.07 FRA Lille @ La Rumeur 19.10.07 GER Walterhausen @ Kulturfabrik 20.10.07 AUS Salzburg @ Festival [+WATAIN, IMPIETY] 21.10.07 AUS Vienna @ Escape 23.10.07 CRO Osijek @ Mini Teatar
24.10.07 ITA Manduria @ Bike & Rock 26.10.07 ITA Padova @ Country Star 27.10.07 GER Munich @ Metropolis
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