CELESTIA

Another good one here from long-running French black metal cult CELESTIA. Numerous black metal acts have touted their ability to combine sonic malevolence with melody and atmosphere, but on third full-length "Archaenae Perfectii: Arcane des Parfaits", CELESTIA makes it seem effortless. The result is an album that flows seamlessly through varying moods, melodic runs, and shocking levels of assailment without ever bogging down or smacking of pretension.

As such, the 33-minute duration makes one shiver from the coldness that invades the room, as well as struggle with the urge to inflict pain on one's fellow humans that is caused by the caustic six-stringing and raging rhythms. Yet in addition to the waves of melancholia, morose atmosphere, and breakneck hymns are moments of stunning beauty, even when short lived and/or serving only as the calm before the lighting storm that is always certain to arrive. The first few minutes of "Grandiohsia Obverturae / Vue Du Ciel" soothe the soul with serene acoustic guitars before giving way to mid-paced fury. Even during the more traditional black metal expressions (hateful, croaky vocals, tremolo picking, etc) are moving melodic patterns that command attention. The bass guitar counterpoints on "Dogmatii Duality / Au Crepuscule Sous Les Larmes" (one with acoustic bits as well) are yet another example of the band's ability to weave melody into the maelstrom. "Dominus Crux Spiritus" is the definitive case in point showcasing CELESTIA's skill at cohesively assembling all of the aforementioned (and seemingly) contrasting elements , inclusive of softer tones that are enhanced with choral effects, although "Nuit Qui Brille Comme Soleil" is right there with it.

There is an overall feeling evoked through the music of "Archaenae Perfectii: Arcane des Parfaits" that transcends individual tracks or instrumental sections, helping to set it apart, even if only to a limited extent, from a host of bands attempting a similar approach. Then again, CELESTIA has been at it for 15 years, so they've had time (and used it wisely) to develop their diabolic methods.