What more can be said about the Swedish band Ondskapt? Considered as one of the originators of the so called “Orthodox Black Metal” current back in the early 2000’s, this band has released so far a bunch of memorable albums that can make any record collector very proud.
The 3rd release, “Arisen From the Ashes“, came out 10 years ago and since then, even if the band has had a somehow constant live presence, they haven’t released any new albums. But since 2020 has been the year of coming back (from the grave), it was Ondskapt‘s turn to crawl out of their lair with a new studio work under the belt, “Grimoire Ordo Devus“.
Released by the French label Osmose Productions on the 27th of November Anno Bastardi, this album walks on the same occult and evil path as the previous records and it features the best work the Swedish band has done so far. With 10 songs in 58 minutes this is obviously not the average Sunday morning listen, but not for a single moment the music is boring or repetitive. In fact the album is quite varied, both in tempo and execution, so you won’t even realize when it ends.
If I would briefly describe this 4th release, three words would be enough: dark, sinister, suffocating. G.O.D. contains all the elements that made Ondskapt “famous” in the underground but also adds a certain melody similar to other Swedish bands, like Watain and Valkyrja . This can be best observed on the tracks like “Ascension“, (the melancholic guitar solo at the end is amazing), “Devotum in Legione“, “Paragon Belial” or the last song “Excision“, whose beautiful ending contrasts firmly with the thick darkness the album is wrapped in.
“And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness.”
Since its inception Ondskapt has undergone through multiple line up changes, which obviously have influenced the band’s music over the years. From the original line-up, only the main-man Acerbus has remained, taking care of the vocal duties. For this new album he has recruited several musicians who have been active in quite some well- known Swedish bands, like Shining, Degial, Dys Inbunden, Mephorash or more recently, Marduk . Their integration in the band was extremely swift and the final result of their joint coop is G.O.D, one of the best albums of 2020 and certainly the best piece of Ondskapt to this day.
After a creepy and disturbing intro, you go straight into the first proper track, “Semita Sinistram“, which basically sets the pace for the rest of the album. Acerbus is in top shape, his cavernous voice spewing forth the verses just like 20 years ago, while the rest of the instruments assault your senses with fierce dedication.
“Born to be a temple of death’s design
Thus dedicated to unbound origins aligned
OH RISE! OH RISE!
Serpents divine!“
Most of the tracks are long (the shortest one has only 4 minutes – “Old and Hideous“) but that brings even more variation and balance to the table. The drums are either slow and ritualistic or extremely fast and aggressive, blasting your ears to pieces. Due to the production done by Tore Stjerna in his Necromorbus studio, the bass is clearly audible, while J.Meggido delivers his best guitar work so far – besides the already mentioned superb “Ascension“, “Possession” is another good proof of J.Meggido‘s guitar skills.
Ondskapt has once again created an album whose malevolent atmosphere challenges you from start to finish. 10 years of silence have worked for the band and “Grimoire Ordo Devus” is the tangible proof. If you want to go through a real black metal experience, then look no further, the new Ondskapt record has arrived.
Ondskapt line-up:
Acerbus – vocals
J.Meggido – guitars
Gefandi Ör Andlät – bass
Daemonum Subeunt – drums
Ondskapt – Grimoire Ordo Devus tracklist:
- Prelude
- Semita Sinistram
- Ascension
- Devotum In Legione
- Animam Malum Daemonium
- Opposites
- Paragon Belial
- Possession
- Old And Hideous
- Excision
Band links:
https://www.facebook.com/ondskaptofficial/
https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/album/grimoire-ordo-devus
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