Second Book of Sentences REVIEWS

Caro Maledicta +Benediction+ EP
Format: CD
Year: 2009
Country: Ireland

After two demos released in 2006 and 2007 which quite impressed me at the time with their incredibly filthy production and damp cave atmosphere, I was pleased to receive this five-track EP from 2009 in the post some time ago.  Caro Maledicta (‘cursed flesh’) continue on the path forged by these demos: a path of incredibly primitive Black Metal, on this release reminding me strongly of the early Lugubrum albums especially in the quality of K’s vocals.  The songs are primeval, for the most part quite slow and liberally peppered with film samples and classical vocal pieces which build up a very theatrical, dark and suffocating atmosphere that is very reminiscent of the medieval feel of Hammer horror movies but with a slightly more evil twist.  Strong musical influences seem to be the likes of Deathspell Omega, Watain, the type of Black Metal put out by members of the The Black Legions, and possibly early Samael.  I am especially reminded of Deathspell Omega in the sections that feature Gregorian chant while the overall aesthetic shown in the cover art, layout and lyrics is strongly reminiscent of the kind of thing one might expect of Watain. 

Our journey begins with some beautiful classical music, some spoken religious intonations; it sounds like the scene of a hanging from a film I’m unfortunately not familiar with.  The chaos of *Attainable paradise* begins.  It starts very fast and then becomes slow with simple and primitive riffs and horrid vocals, not just “normal” Black Metal vocals but tortured screams and yells, before becoming fast again.  *Scrutiny and punishment* sounds like the weakest track to these ears but it is still interesting with its evil little samples from horror movies and those tormented screams.  The song that really gets me banging my head is *An inheritance of chapped lips and barren wombs*.  A great title that promises much and the song itself is a very militant and driving Black Metal with very simple but effective riffing.  It becomes quite fast, then meditative and dreamlike, followed by some filthy and hypnotic passages where the utterly tormented and possessed vocals take on the role of a demonic preacher who promises much by way of damnation and death.  The final track is in the vein of Burzum but very slow and again very meditative.  Overall this is a good release which shows promise.  The musicianship has improved somewhat since the demo days of Caro Maledicta but not at the cost of the utterly horrid and very medieval atmosphere that I find so attractive about this band’s music.  There doesn’t seem to be any indication of limitation on this EP.  Contact the band at caromaledicta@gmail.com