Review by Alex on January 11, 2020.

One of the most intriguing black metal albums I've had the fortune of hearing. Due out January 24th, 2020, Demoniac Ethics is the 4th full-length album from Turkish black metal band Zifir. From unorthodox vocals to the accursed chanting to the temperate and calculate thump of the drums and wailing guitars, Demoniac Ethics embodies the fright black metal is supposed to instill into the listener.

This is not your blast beat frenzy type of black metal, there's no rush to meet the end, they're already at the precipice, what you get instead is a record projecting in mantra-like form, demonic oaths, atmospheric desolation and the destruction of divinity. With only the collection of 3 musicians Zifir has unfurled a challenging way of representing their ethical synopsis. Its looks in the other direction of the traditionally accepted form of black metal for the most; we are accustomed to having all the icing of the genre's cake and leftovers too, we've been spoilt, but Zifir refuses to encourage our indulgent ways. They go about this by starving us of our general servings and when that hunger builds to the point of being uncontrolled we're sedated with an adequate amount of delicacies.

Majority of the album maintains a moderate pacing slightly below that mid-paced and doom metal region. Besides 'Chants for Execution', you'll have to wait until 'Spirit of the Goats' before your traditional black metal meal is ready, at least within the drumming department. Not much is said lyrically; however, it is through this epigrammatic form of delivery the band is able to provide considerable weight to the tone of the music given the instruments have adequate room to breathe. Demoniac Ethics does a fine job of constructing walls around the listener making it hard to take a step back from the rhythm; this was a process instigated with the inception of the first track 'Sur' that reeled the listener in with its trance and like an infant to the scent and taste of candy we followed in pursuit only to slip into the trap of its spell.

By 'Empire of Worms' it’s pointless trying to fight the suspended animation and why would you, with passages so ethereal and tempos triggering ecstasy levels, you'd be neglecting yourself of solace. As the glimmer fades further into a space of a blackening pitch with each passing declaration you can't help but wonder if you're even within the same realm of time. 'Chaos Clouds', 'A Bleak Portrait', 'Insects as Messengers' (that's a bad-ass song title), deliver the final blow critical to the lasting impression of Demoniac Visions and lives up to the majestic artwork. The songs have a very introverted, self-preservationist aura about them, meaning they somewhat appear to ostracize or turn a cold shoulder to outside interferences or characteristics.

There's no arguing its black metal done in sincere philosophical spirit; though simultaneously, persists the feeling of distaste towards the genre. I assume this has to do with the stealthy tempo that dominates Demoniac Ethics' run time, contrast to many whom prefer a speeding onslaught of instruments yet failing to master accurate trajectory of their message. Working in synchronized coordination, the drumming, riffs, vocals and bass are present as being delicately entwined with each other yet wrathfully seeking out emancipation from its unified musical stronghold. Demoniac Ethics is a record within its own monarchy, impervious to ingeminate echoes and fundamentalisms.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Krys on October 2, 2012.

It was a while since I wrote my last review on this site but being unconscious for long periods of time is not something I was expecting after hearing this most ungodly creation that hit the music stores in decades. Well, let's get to the beginning...

It seem just like yesterday when I hit the play button expecting some great death metal (judging by its predecessor) but what I got was a knee shot to my face and last thing I remember was swallowing couple of my teeth and falling into a pool of my blood. For fuck's sake can this album come with a label 'Place Front To The Enemy' instead of 'Explicit Lyrics'? This ladies and gentlemen is how death metal should be played. Brutal, blasphemous and I wish not so much in-your-face sonic assault on humanity. I'm not going to describe each track cause we live in 21st century and you can hear samples of each on the Internet but what I'll tell you is that last time I raped the repeat button was when Slayer released 'Reign In Blood' and that in itself is something I though would never happen. It's been over 6 month that nothing else tormented my psyche and I still love it - with 'love' being a very poor choice of words when describing the context of this release.

This is an instant classic where every song holds a true meaning of the word composition with well though out structures, breathtaking riffs, harmonies, solos and thunderous drums. That perfect cocktail is served with just impeccable dose of melody and tastefully delivered vocals spitting the Vatican's 'friendly' lyrics to feel like innocent, beautiful butterflies dropping grenades. If you ever wondered how music sounds after selling your soul this is it...

Oh shit, not again! Another knee to my face...

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 10
Originality: 10
Overall: 10

Rating: 10 out of 10

Review by Krys on October 2, 2012.

It was a while since I wrote my last review on this site but being unconscious for long periods of time is not something I was expecting after hearing this most ungodly creation that hit the music stores in decades. Well, let's get to the beginning...

It seem just like yesterday when I hit the play button expecting some great death metal (judging by its predecessor) but what I got was a knee shot to my face and last thing I remember was swallowing couple of my teeth and falling into a pool of my blood. For fuck's sake can this album come with a label 'Place Front To The Enemy' instead of 'Explicit Lyrics'? This ladies and gentlemen is how death metal should be played. Brutal, blasphemous and I wish not so much in-your-face sonic assault on humanity. I'm not going to describe each track cause we live in 21st century and you can hear samples of each on the Internet but what I'll tell you is that last time I raped the repeat button was when Slayer released 'Reign In Blood' and that in itself is something I though would never happen. It's been over 6 month that nothing else tormented my psyche and I still love it - with 'love' being a very poor choice of words when describing the context of this release.

This is an instant classic where every song holds a true meaning of the word composition with well though out structures, breathtaking riffs, harmonies, solos and thunderous drums. That perfect cocktail is served with just impeccable dose of melody and tastefully delivered vocals spitting the Vatican's 'friendly' lyrics to feel like innocent, beautiful butterflies dropping grenades. If you ever wondered how music sounds after selling your soul this is it...

Oh shit, not again! Another knee to my face...

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 10
Originality: 10
Overall: 10

Rating: 10 out of 10

Review by Krys on October 2, 2012.

It was a while since I wrote my last review on this site but being unconscious for long periods of time is not something I was expecting after hearing this most ungodly creation that hit the music stores in decades. Well, let's get to the beginning...

It seem just like yesterday when I hit the play button expecting some great death metal (judging by its predecessor) but what I got was a knee shot to my face and last thing I remember was swallowing couple of my teeth and falling into a pool of my blood. For fuck's sake can this album come with a label 'Place Front To The Enemy' instead of 'Explicit Lyrics'? This ladies and gentlemen is how death metal should be played. Brutal, blasphemous and I wish not so much in-your-face sonic assault on humanity. I'm not going to describe each track cause we live in 21st century and you can hear samples of each on the Internet but what I'll tell you is that last time I raped the repeat button was when Slayer released 'Reign In Blood' and that in itself is something I though would never happen. It's been over 6 month that nothing else tormented my psyche and I still love it - with 'love' being a very poor choice of words when describing the context of this release.

This is an instant classic where every song holds a true meaning of the word composition with well though out structures, breathtaking riffs, harmonies, solos and thunderous drums. That perfect cocktail is served with just impeccable dose of melody and tastefully delivered vocals spitting the Vatican's 'friendly' lyrics to feel like innocent, beautiful butterflies dropping grenades. If you ever wondered how music sounds after selling your soul this is it...

Oh shit, not again! Another knee to my face...

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 10
Originality: 10
Overall: 10

Rating: 10 out of 10