ANIMUS MORTIS

The debut from Chile's ANIMUS MORTIS, "Atrabilis (Residues from Verb & Flesh)", comes to you via Moribund Cult license from France's Debemur Morti Productions. There is not a shred of prettiness to be found on this one, an album that is tailor made for the truest fans of ferocious and caustic black metal extremity. Coupled with bleak atmosphere and the all-encompassing feeling of being drowned in a sea of sin, "Atrabilis" allow no room for meditative thought. It may not be groundbreaking, but it works fairly well.

The "atmospheric" part of "Atrabilis" should not be taken too literally because aside from the bone chilling instrumental keyboard piece "Ambivalent Aura" and the occasional ethereal break, the approach is one of teeth-rattling rhythms and scything guitars. Occasional pace breaks and semi-melodic harmonies make their way into the arrangements, adding a bit of musical dynamics to the mist. Of course, we are talking in very relative terms, as any semblance of equilibrium in the listener is torn to shreds. "Disorienting" barely begins to describe the violence delivered by the band. As with most albums of this type, first listens leave one shell shocked and unsure of what just occurred. Spending more time with the disc one is able to detect a tad more depth beneath the ritualistic carnage. As one example, "Hosannas from the Depths" moves from breakneck annihilation to an airy guitar segment that seems to seep in and infect the bloodstream before the pace turn from steadiness to bloodthirsty attacking. A similar vibe is found on the track that follows, "My Ashes Inside".

"Atrabilis" makes its point in convincing fashion. Still, I can't say I was bowled over by it. The musical touches that begin to expand horizons notwithstanding; the album is one that will sate the dedicated. Most others will find it a competent effort that inflicts harm, but will not stay etched in the memory for very long. Solid, if not spectacular.