Review by Jeger on November 30, 2024.

Heritage, lore and war - the essences of true black metal - the foundation to every great black metal band, whether they be from Norway, Sweden, Finland or Germany. It's this concrete artistic base that keeps black metal pure: to homage the ways of olde, to never forget the traditions of yore and to take pride in your pedigree is the code. So long as these three concepts remain trident, there will always be a dignified future for black metal, despite the mainstream whores who defile it. For Germany's Mavorim, there can be no other path. Since 2014, Baptist has pushed ahead; spearheading a movement of Teutonic revival for German BM that challenges what's become the status quo - German black metal bands emulating the Scandinavians, as opposed to doing things the olde Germanic way. With both lyrics and song titles in the native tongue, with Mavorim, you can expect nothing but the true Teutonic BM experience. On December 25, Mavorim will release their fifth studio LP, In Ominia Paratus, via Purity Through Fire.

Let the fanfare begin! A celebratory commencement into the realm of melodic black metal of the bold and atmospheric consort is transpiring here during these opening minutes. The war drums pounding their pulsed rhythms and set to epic keyboard overlays. A pitch black soliloquy, the boots of the legion beating the earth and the cries of the masses; hear them now as they permeate the scourge. A sonic signal fire to gesticulate the black metal feast to come. No compromise here when it comes to the theatrics: horns, ghostly ambiances and hearty tremolo riffs to carry you through 'Zerfall', while the following track, 'Tu Ich Meine Augen Zu', unfolds to baser elements with guitar-driven melody being the primary facet. Keyboards placed on the back burner during the opening minutes and hearty anthemic cleans reminiscent of Absurd's 'Mourning Soul' to raise the flag for German pride - soul-stirring and inspirational - a grand achievement in its own right. Black metal as hearty as the thickest ale and acutely intoxicating like Absinthe.

In Ominia Paratus is, for the most part, a savory mid-tempo'd record with martial beats and temped riffing. 'Ein Fahles Ross' is a prime example: patient melodies, intrepid rhythms and more of those celebratory cleans to rouse up from the fore of thought images of proud warriors upon horses pale as they ride the sacred night through til dawn. Ethereal keyboard effects siren like the spirits of those forlorn just before you're propelled into the grime of 'Aller Abart Gloria'. Like a page taken from Bethlehem's playbook as the evilest passages unfurl to such a vile vocal scathing. What a comprehensive record and what a magisterial contribution from Baptist and Valfor - harbingers of the true Germanic path to black metal.

You will listen to this one over and over again. In Ominia Paratus is one of the year's best, and it culminates with an epic in 'Der Letzten Sonne Untergang'. Just a smorgasbord of everything Mavorim does well here: a layered approach to vocals, haunting atmospherics, varied rhythms and engaging riffs; a journey to end a journey. Wind blown and frigid from start to finish - 'In Ominia Paratus' - a career-defining feat and a muse for the trueness of genuine German black metal. Definitely not your crusty basement BM. This record is finely produced, dynamic and refined yet wholesome and earthy as folk. An album for sacred nights by bon's fire under harvest moon, for warrior's majesty and for hearkening the winds of remembrance. Heritage and pride standing paramount - the true black metal way incarnate. Bravo.

Rating: 9 out 10

Review by Elijah on January 8, 2020.

Decapitated's second album. A true beauty in the death metal genre. It’s obvious they took a new turn in their music, but they made a great turn.

Talk about technicality and brutality! With the new direction the band has taken since their debut, they presented a new style they'd show throughout all of their future releases. On this record, they manage to keep everything structured and musically advanced while having everything brutal and heavier than before! It opens up with 'Perfect Dehumanization (The Answer?)', and this track right here is probably the second-best song off the album after 'Spheres Of Madness'. Talk about the perfect album opener, the song blasts off with a 10/10 riff that has obviously been inspired by Morbid Angel, and machine gun drums to give it the backbone. Then the mighty Sauron growls his way into the song with his great vocals. "Rise! And look at your face!" the first lyric line off the first track of the album, that'll be sure to stick in your head once you hear it.

That's basically what you'd expect with the rest of the album, every song opens with a catchy, memorable riff with the perfect drum beat to go along with it. It’s not repetitive though, the band manages to keep every song fresh and different. The musicality of the album his just perfect, great musicianship and song structures. All the songs are unique in their own way.

Now this I where I talk about the album’s disadvantages. Mainly the drums; the kick drum to be exact. There isn't really an issue with the drums at all, but my god, when I first heard this album, I was disgusted by the kick drum. Sounded extremely triggered and very high-pitched and clicky. Ear-piercing kick drum right there. But since then, I've been listening to the album over and over making myself look past the awful sound of the kick, I got used to it and now I barley even focus on the noise of it. Basically what I'm saying is that when you hear this album for the first time, the kick drum will probably bother you for a little while, and if you keep listening to the album again and again, you'll soon look past that and love the album regardless.

The other "issue" which really isn't an issue but needs to be discussed are the vocals. Sauron. Sauron is a great vocalist for his then age, and in general. The ability of the vox on this track are great, no fails there. It’s just the production and the dreadfulness of how he sounds on the album. Great vocal ability indeed, but they sound layered and slightly buried on here. Kind of like how you're kinda congested and you can talk, but your voice doesn't sound 100% great. That’s the best way I can describe the vocals on this album. Once again, good skill, but needs to be presented better.

Well to wrap it all up, this is a great and solid album with little fails. As I said before, if you're new to the album you'll most likely notice some flaws. But over time everything grows on you. Therefore, being the reason being why I don't give this one a perfect score. Good album, but a grower for some people.

Personal Rating In The Band's Discography: The band's 3rd best album out of 7 total albums.
Best/Recommended Tracks: 'Spheres Of Madness', 'Perfect Dehumanization (The Answer?)', 'Eternity Too Short'.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Krys on January 31, 2002.

It was one of those lazy winter nights when nothing could make me move my ass from the couch and then, I popped this little CD in my player’s hole and holy mother of all baseball bats, did those guys changed the shape of my jaw. It’s not like I expected some whiny melodies here, but “Nihility” simply knocked me down and made my head feel like a soccer ball kicked for 10 hours by 20 guys during power training. What’s even more amazing is that with the help of Decapitated I was able to achieve that artistic state of mind with only 35 min... Beaten up, bruised and exhausted I crawled to my player and clicked stop.

Not bad for four guys who can’t even enter a 21 and over club... I’m not going to praise the fact that these young men are still in their teens but showcase musical abilities on this record that will make contemporaries twice their age go nuts. From ‘Perfect Dehumanisation’ to ‘Symmetry of Zero’ you are exposed to a perfectly produced blistering assault that emphasizes the technical abilities and uncommon tightness of a band in such a young stage of its career.

Vitek (drums) must drive his neighbors insane; maniacal precision and speed mixed with uncommon breaks and arrangements must sound like chemical explosions cooked up by a mentally unstable kid recently released from a straightjacket. Not that Vogg (guitar) and Martin (bass) are staying behind and only fill the voids...

Brutal riffs and technical passages are enhanced by killer disharmonic solos that leave nothing less than aching and bleeding ears. All this musical chaos is intensified by the variety of Sauron’s low, guttural vocals that are not blown out of proportion and feel the music perfectly, keeping the faultless balance between all instruments.

The sky, or hell for that matter, is the limit for these guys and without a doubt their professional education pays off big time here, but I wonder just what music school they attend because as far as I can recall, no one taught me how to rip the shit out of my instrument...

Favorite songs? All of them. If you’ll find one that calls for less then a perfect description make sure you’re on the right medications...

Bottom Line: If you haven’t heard their first album, I forgive you, but if you miss “Nihility” don’t call yourself a fan of extreme music. Decapitated are something very special indeed and their latest child is nothing short of a masterpiece that marks the level of perfection I would expect at the dawn of the 21st century.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

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

Rating: 10 out of 10

Review by Elijah on January 8, 2020.

Decapitated's second album. A true beauty in the death metal genre. It’s obvious they took a new turn in their music, but they made a great turn.

Talk about technicality and brutality! With the new direction the band has taken since their debut, they presented a new style they'd show throughout all of their future releases. On this record, they manage to keep everything structured and musically advanced while having everything brutal and heavier than before! It opens up with 'Perfect Dehumanization (The Answer?)', and this track right here is probably the second-best song off the album after 'Spheres Of Madness'. Talk about the perfect album opener, the song blasts off with a 10/10 riff that has obviously been inspired by Morbid Angel, and machine gun drums to give it the backbone. Then the mighty Sauron growls his way into the song with his great vocals. "Rise! And look at your face!" the first lyric line off the first track of the album, that'll be sure to stick in your head once you hear it.

That's basically what you'd expect with the rest of the album, every song opens with a catchy, memorable riff with the perfect drum beat to go along with it. It’s not repetitive though, the band manages to keep every song fresh and different. The musicality of the album his just perfect, great musicianship and song structures. All the songs are unique in their own way.

Now this I where I talk about the album’s disadvantages. Mainly the drums; the kick drum to be exact. There isn't really an issue with the drums at all, but my god, when I first heard this album, I was disgusted by the kick drum. Sounded extremely triggered and very high-pitched and clicky. Ear-piercing kick drum right there. But since then, I've been listening to the album over and over making myself look past the awful sound of the kick, I got used to it and now I barley even focus on the noise of it. Basically what I'm saying is that when you hear this album for the first time, the kick drum will probably bother you for a little while, and if you keep listening to the album again and again, you'll soon look past that and love the album regardless.

The other "issue" which really isn't an issue but needs to be discussed are the vocals. Sauron. Sauron is a great vocalist for his then age, and in general. The ability of the vox on this track are great, no fails there. It’s just the production and the dreadfulness of how he sounds on the album. Great vocal ability indeed, but they sound layered and slightly buried on here. Kind of like how you're kinda congested and you can talk, but your voice doesn't sound 100% great. That’s the best way I can describe the vocals on this album. Once again, good skill, but needs to be presented better.

Well to wrap it all up, this is a great and solid album with little fails. As I said before, if you're new to the album you'll most likely notice some flaws. But over time everything grows on you. Therefore, being the reason being why I don't give this one a perfect score. Good album, but a grower for some people.

Personal Rating In The Band's Discography: The band's 3rd best album out of 7 total albums.
Best/Recommended Tracks: 'Spheres Of Madness', 'Perfect Dehumanization (The Answer?)', 'Eternity Too Short'.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Krys on January 31, 2002.

It was one of those lazy winter nights when nothing could make me move my ass from the couch and then, I popped this little CD in my player’s hole and holy mother of all baseball bats, did those guys changed the shape of my jaw. It’s not like I expected some whiny melodies here, but “Nihility” simply knocked me down and made my head feel like a soccer ball kicked for 10 hours by 20 guys during power training. What’s even more amazing is that with the help of Decapitated I was able to achieve that artistic state of mind with only 35 min... Beaten up, bruised and exhausted I crawled to my player and clicked stop.

Not bad for four guys who can’t even enter a 21 and over club... I’m not going to praise the fact that these young men are still in their teens but showcase musical abilities on this record that will make contemporaries twice their age go nuts. From ‘Perfect Dehumanisation’ to ‘Symmetry of Zero’ you are exposed to a perfectly produced blistering assault that emphasizes the technical abilities and uncommon tightness of a band in such a young stage of its career.

Vitek (drums) must drive his neighbors insane; maniacal precision and speed mixed with uncommon breaks and arrangements must sound like chemical explosions cooked up by a mentally unstable kid recently released from a straightjacket. Not that Vogg (guitar) and Martin (bass) are staying behind and only fill the voids...

Brutal riffs and technical passages are enhanced by killer disharmonic solos that leave nothing less than aching and bleeding ears. All this musical chaos is intensified by the variety of Sauron’s low, guttural vocals that are not blown out of proportion and feel the music perfectly, keeping the faultless balance between all instruments.

The sky, or hell for that matter, is the limit for these guys and without a doubt their professional education pays off big time here, but I wonder just what music school they attend because as far as I can recall, no one taught me how to rip the shit out of my instrument...

Favorite songs? All of them. If you’ll find one that calls for less then a perfect description make sure you’re on the right medications...

Bottom Line: If you haven’t heard their first album, I forgive you, but if you miss “Nihility” don’t call yourself a fan of extreme music. Decapitated are something very special indeed and their latest child is nothing short of a masterpiece that marks the level of perfection I would expect at the dawn of the 21st century.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

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

Rating: 10 out of 10