Review by Alex on August 23, 2020.

Comprised of members most notably within Funebrarum and Chthe'ilist, Atramentus emerges with its debut recording titled, Stygian. This record only has 3 songs, and which appear to tell a tale of some figure left to wander eternally. Their run times are very lengthy and may invoke somnambulism (the good kind) while the music itself possesses the key features and tested penchants of long-standing albums within funeral doom. The dedication behind this debut undertaking is evident and tells of the musical experience that went into molding such a phenomenal piece of material.

Stygian is bloated with the influences of prestigious bands home to the genre; Thergothon, Disembowelment and Evoken to name a few. Depressive tones, moments of sheer despair and dread are merged with a frequency of an ominous overcast. The 16-minute opener 'Stygian I: From Tumultuous Heavens… (Descended Forth the Ceaseless Darkness)' is such a great track that really sounds as though ones thoughts are being funneled through an echoing chamber. It has an overarching bleakness that immediately portrays the setting and is completed by perhaps one of the most haunting segments on Stygian being the slow, abandoned, solitary thump of the snare that fades away. It evokes feelings of both urgency and introspect, much of which translates the artwork seemingly Bell Witch inspired and is transferred to the secluded ambient skit being 'Stygian II: In Ageless Slumber (As I Dream in the Doleful Embrace off the Howling Black Winds)'.

'Stygian III: Perennial Voyage (Across the Perpetual Planes of Crying Frost & Steel-Eroding Blizzards)' continues the course by utilizing a wet, soggy, discouraged soundscape, that while dragging you to the end, manages to erect these massive towers of despondency with landscapes draped in mournful guitar tones only to demolish it by introducing the menacing waves of vocal diversity. Sometimes an utterly nasty subterranean dwelling stretched out growl or a leeching lamenting snarl is instituted that in return amplifies the general tonality while enlivening, breathing motion into the artwork. Just the feeling of absent tranquility contrasted by growing pessimism ripples through Stygian; from the oscillation of feelings incited through the gnawing torrent of sharp, wailing guitar chords and vocal grief also in sung passages, to the downcast bass, drums + growls, to the atmospheric black metal outburst bidding farewell on 'Stygian III: Perennial Voyage (Across the Perpetual Planes of Crying Frost & Steel-Eroding Blizzards)'; the record takes the listener to a place of repetitive thoughts imprisoned by the frozen hour hand of eternity.

Rating: 8.8 out of 10

Review by Alex on September 25, 2018.

The ability to play fast, catchy and more so, competently technical, are all individual hurdles for many bands. However; the ability to put on an exhibition demonstrating all of the aforementioned qualities in one debut body of work (note the term "debut"), is a completely new breed of a venture. Can a specific genre of music have unorthodox/untraditional elements added to its successful schematic without disrupting the essence of its identity? Yes, but only if handled with care. An album of this magnitude and magnificence could not have been crafted in a sparing amount of time, no way! What Devilpriest has presented will be permanently engraved in the metal sky.

Catchiness, melody and technicality are not words or terms associated with black/death metal, in fact; they have for the most part been foreign to the genre's bizarre structure. So here is the question; would the incorporation of these elements prove to be a "fly in the ointment" or would the outcome be favorable? 

Devil Inspired Chants is an offering that strikes certain parts of the nerves which invoke bliss and enjoyment. Fragmented guitars and drumming channel the technicality with caution as to not overlap the black/death border. The black/death feeling is constantly reinforced throughout the length of the album by utilizing Tom Hermies' vocals which sound like a branch between death metal growls and a sharp nasty snort. With much emphasis being placed on technical drum work; Devilpriest do a good job of utilizing melody to follow the outrageous riff rage; some examples of this can be heard on the tracks "Withstand The Holy Ghost", "Awaken In The Presence Of Satan" and "Upon The Blasting Winds". Speaking of "Upon The Blasting Winds", fans of early Slayer material will enjoy the surprise on this track, in which acknowledgment and praise are given.

One undeniable fact about Devil Inspired Chants happens to be that each track has its own identity and never displays any filler or begins to drag along aimlessly. Each composition displays purposeful instrumentation, flow, melody, diverse technical segments, traditional black metal tremolo riffing when needed and remains steadfast on the black/death metal path. The almost surgical precision of Necro Docre's drumming combined with the heedful guitars of Durtal Tot and Tom Hermies, ensures the listener that he/she is witnessing a professional flaunt. With Necro Docre and Durtal Tot being members of Anima Damnata, the musical intimacy and relationship is high on the album. This creates a brotherly like bond that further reinforces the musical strength apart from their impressive playing. 

Whoever handled the production of this record is a genius. Given the task of capturing technicality and melody while maintaining that raw black/death metal feeling, the mixing and mastering would need to be "on point". It was undertaken such that one can hear the technical chaos, the beautiful melodies, and the crude nature of the album simultaneously. The artwork is glorious in depicting its theme/concept, and from listening to the record one can envision the events following the final scene of the album cover. 

If you like fast, technical, rhythmic black/death metal, then Devil Inspired Chants will most certainly see that you get your money's worth. Devilpriest surely possesses the DNA of black/death metal in their musical anatomy. Devil Inspired Chants is probably the most underrated album of 2017 alongside Succumb's self-titled full-length album.

Rating: 9.4 out of 10