Review by Vladimir on May 4, 2024.

There are a lot of bands who create music with this ominous feeling like you are dwelling into the realm of the unknown, full of mystery and horrors that await on the other side. Such is the case with the Polish black/death metal band Mysthicon, who have been around for nearly a decade and yet the members have since then remained anonymous. I was recommended that I check out their debut full-length album Silva - Oculis – Corvi that was released on September 23rd, 2020 via Witching Hour Productions, and since I always have faith in the Polish metal scene, I was curious to see what lies beyond this alien and mystic world that stands before me. 

The god forsaken wrath of Mysthicon arises with the opening track 'Arise', showcasing that this is one mean work of relentless and chaotic blackened death metal without compromises, ripping and tearing with its heavy tremolo riffs, wall-breaking double-bass drums and demonic harsh growling vocals shouting out from the deep abyss, backed up by eerie and atmospheric keyboards. This album provides a handful of bat-shit crazy bangers that will definitely shake the earth with its pulsing and destructive energy that flows throughout the entire journey. Some examples such as 'Into The Dark' and 'Star Prophet' incorporate a slower tempo by going into a darker and moodier direction which is borderline death/doom metal in its overall execution, showcasing a dark gothic horror vibe that builds up to the second half of the album. Some of that atmospheric slow tempo formula carries over to the fifth track 'Absorbing The Light Of Fools', combined with the standard blackened death metal shredding that makes the overall song feel more dynamic and richer. What most people highlight as the best track on the album, myself included, would undoubtedly be the sixth track, with an over the top yet badass title that says 'Wolves Of Morning Dawn', which combines the best of both worlds, showcasing some spiritually epic and tribal elements in the music. The final track on the album is the cover of Lux Occulta’s 'Passing Away', which nicely serves as an epic conclusion to this album’s journey into the dark. 

Mysthicon’s songwriting is for the most part straightforward and simplistic in its overall execution, but still on point thanks to its slightly more dynamic approaches on a couple of tracks that expand the album’s direction and make it feel more engaging. Overall, it’s awesome that Mysthicon was able to combine elements of black, death and doom metal without ever feeling inconsistent or unbalanced, by successfully keeping everything on an even level without straying too far away of its course. The songs on this album are stylistically very similar, but despite their slightly formulaic approach, they still manage to keep you engaged and on edge with strong consistency that carries over from one track to another. The overall progression of this album is like “the deeper it goes the darker it gets”, and it certainly gets darker the further it goes, especially on the second half where it gradually builds up to become an even bigger monstrosity than it already is. Another highlight to this album is the beautiful and mesmerizing cover art by Tomasz “Hal” Halicki of Vader/Abused Majesty/Hermh, with the visual representation that wonderfully conveys the dark and mystic atmosphere of the music, especially with its good use of blue and green colours that work well together. 

Overall, I personally consider Silva - Oculis – Corvi to be one awesome experience filled with mystery, horror and dread. It’s full of headbanging tunes that are worth checking out from start to finish, with some outstanding examples like 'Star Prophet' and 'Wolves Of Morning Dawn', which will surely get your attention. The fact that the bands members are unknown, I think it nicely adds to the overall mystery and mythology of Mysthicon’s background, and I think that they will continue to release more great albums in the future. 

Rating: 8.7 out of 10

Review by Vladimir on May 4, 2024.

There are a lot of bands who create music with this ominous feeling like you are dwelling into the realm of the unknown, full of mystery and horrors that await on the other side. Such is the case with the Polish black/death metal band Mysthicon, who have been around for nearly a decade and yet the members have since then remained anonymous. I was recommended that I check out their debut full-length album Silva - Oculis – Corvi that was released on September 23rd, 2020 via Witching Hour Productions, and since I always have faith in the Polish metal scene, I was curious to see what lies beyond this alien and mystic world that stands before me. 

The god forsaken wrath of Mysthicon arises with the opening track 'Arise', showcasing that this is one mean work of relentless and chaotic blackened death metal without compromises, ripping and tearing with its heavy tremolo riffs, wall-breaking double-bass drums and demonic harsh growling vocals shouting out from the deep abyss, backed up by eerie and atmospheric keyboards. This album provides a handful of bat-shit crazy bangers that will definitely shake the earth with its pulsing and destructive energy that flows throughout the entire journey. Some examples such as 'Into The Dark' and 'Star Prophet' incorporate a slower tempo by going into a darker and moodier direction which is borderline death/doom metal in its overall execution, showcasing a dark gothic horror vibe that builds up to the second half of the album. Some of that atmospheric slow tempo formula carries over to the fifth track 'Absorbing The Light Of Fools', combined with the standard blackened death metal shredding that makes the overall song feel more dynamic and richer. What most people highlight as the best track on the album, myself included, would undoubtedly be the sixth track, with an over the top yet badass title that says 'Wolves Of Morning Dawn', which combines the best of both worlds, showcasing some spiritually epic and tribal elements in the music. The final track on the album is the cover of Lux Occulta’s 'Passing Away', which nicely serves as an epic conclusion to this album’s journey into the dark. 

Mysthicon’s songwriting is for the most part straightforward and simplistic in its overall execution, but still on point thanks to its slightly more dynamic approaches on a couple of tracks that expand the album’s direction and make it feel more engaging. Overall, it’s awesome that Mysthicon was able to combine elements of black, death and doom metal without ever feeling inconsistent or unbalanced, by successfully keeping everything on an even level without straying too far away of its course. The songs on this album are stylistically very similar, but despite their slightly formulaic approach, they still manage to keep you engaged and on edge with strong consistency that carries over from one track to another. The overall progression of this album is like “the deeper it goes the darker it gets”, and it certainly gets darker the further it goes, especially on the second half where it gradually builds up to become an even bigger monstrosity than it already is. Another highlight to this album is the beautiful and mesmerizing cover art by Tomasz “Hal” Halicki of Vader/Abused Majesty/Hermh, with the visual representation that wonderfully conveys the dark and mystic atmosphere of the music, especially with its good use of blue and green colours that work well together. 

Overall, I personally consider Silva - Oculis – Corvi to be one awesome experience filled with mystery, horror and dread. It’s full of headbanging tunes that are worth checking out from start to finish, with some outstanding examples like 'Star Prophet' and 'Wolves Of Morning Dawn', which will surely get your attention. The fact that the bands members are unknown, I think it nicely adds to the overall mystery and mythology of Mysthicon’s background, and I think that they will continue to release more great albums in the future. 

Rating: 8.7 out of 10

Review by Jack on October 14, 2001.

“Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire and Demise”; Emperor’s last hurrah at black metal infamy. No introduction is needed to such a metal juggernaught that these three boys are a part of. One point I strongly need to suggest in regard to listening to “Prometheus...” is that you should endeavour to listen without any expectations. I, myself was caught in the pitfall of contemplating whether it is more like “Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk” or “IX Equilibrium” and whether it lived up to both these albums. I think the biggest stumbling block people are going to encounter with this epic is the comparison to old Emperor, and this album is not “Anthems...”, “IX Equilibrium”, but rather a neo-Emperor.

Another resounding point that will be bought to forums around the black metal communities dotted around the world is whether “Prometheus...” is more like Peccatum’s “Amor Fati” or Zyklon’s “World Ov Worms”, when the apparent answer is cleanly neither. “Prometheus...” does not contain the classical embodiments that Peccatum tried hard to achieve, nor does it contain the bombastic guttural hybrid black/death surges that Zyklon were famed for.

On to “Prometheus...” then, amidst much success from Samoth/Trym’s Zyklon and Ihsahn’s Peccatum, one would certainly wonder, and I certainly did as to whether Emperor (as a collective) would put in a good effort with “Prometheus...”. The reason I say this is because Samoth, Trym and Ihsahn could put a poor showing in for the latest Emperor and still fall back onto Zyklon and Peccatum for their musical craft. Thankfully this is not the case, Emperor being the consummate professionals that they are, have dedicated themselves to their last CD.

“Prometheus...” is a slower, more brooding and calculating release that demands that you work for its affections, in comparison to past Emperor releases which were initially joyous but perhaps could not obtain enlightenment forever. Much orchestration is present throughout the whole album, which allows the record to touch a more calming vein than other black records, but “Prometheus...” still holds the terror and mayhem that Emperor are famous for (see ‘Thorns on My Grave’). Trym, after his beatings through Zyklon has never sounded better, perhaps even more furious than on the Zyklon debut. What is also pleasing to see is that the songwriting process is a culmination of Samoth and Ihsahn, rather than a dictatorship from experiences in Zyklon and Peccatum. Ihsahn’s vocal work is truly astonishing and he has finally reached the pinnacle in vocal work through many years of experimentation, this mixture is just right. Innovative guitar riffs abound, supported by beautiful and often serene keyboard cuts.

The best slice for me from “Prometheus...” would have to be ‘The Tongue of Fire’ for the epic proportions that this track embodies.

I guess the real question on everyone’s lips, rather than my incessant rambling, is whether “Prometheus...” is worth pursuing for consumption. Well the answer is an empirical yes! If you waded through many years of turbulent Empiric history, than this album is a necessity, even if it is not as enthralling initially as past Emperor highlights. Whether this is Emperor’s finest album is whole new can of worms.

Bottom Line: Enjoyment and satisfaction will be gained through trials and tribulation for “Prometheus...”, but once obtained, one will find it hard to stop. Like the 1000-year-old Emperor of Japan who died in the Yamato period of the Samurai, this Emperor is dead and buried.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10