Belphegor have been big players in the blackened death metal arena, now with their tenth studio album Conjuring The Dead they have come back with a serious bang. After releasing Blood Magick Necromance in 2011 and finally finishing their extensive touring schedule Belphegor returned to the studio, this time choosing Mana Recording Studios with none other than esteemed death metal man Erik Rutan in charge of production duties. Opening with the furious assault of “Gasmask Terror” we’re treated to much of the same usual Belphegor formula, blast beats that are inhumanly fast and the guttural roar of Helmuth bringing the album to life in a fantastic fashion. Much of the album is simple riffing and compared to some of metal’s contemporary acts, fairly straight forward song writing, but therin lies the rub.
Belphegor have seemingly found the perfect formula between simultaneously having one of the years heaviest releases as well as it being memorable and leaving you wanting more. The groove on “In Death” is monumental, with the simplicity of the song writing being the key. The riff heavy formula doesn’t stop there though, with tracks like “Rex Tremendae Majestatis” we’re slowly moved into a song that would sound appropriate for a burial rite. With atmospheric keys giving us the impression of the grandiose that Belphegor are able to do so well, seeing as there are only two members. However following on we get a much needed break from all the blackened blast madness, with the small instrumental intro “The Eyes” leading into arguably one of the heaviest tracks on the album. In “Legions Of Destruction” we’re not only subjected to Belphegor’s main man but have the two punch of an appearance by Deicide front man Glen Benton, who works perfectly against the rasp of Helmuth as well as Atilla Csihar of Mayhem fame.
Belphegor have always seemed to have a problem with releases is the level of production, as I mentioned before having had Erik Rutan at the helm of the recording has only benefitted the band even further. Instead of the tinny production that we saw on Walpurgis Rites – Hexenwahn we are instead eveloped in an organic sounding album. From the guitar tone which stands alone in the often simple riffs to arguably the best piece of the puzzle. The incredible drum sound that Rutan has been able to flesh out for the band gives the overall feel of an album that is together and stands alone, “Conjuring The Dead” the album’s title track exemplifies this perfectly with the trudging riff that elevates in the chorus only to be struck down afterwards with one of the most evil sounding divebombs since the time of Slayer. Its also worth mentioning about the album’s artwork, done by the ever talented Seth Siro it sums up the album perfectly, it may have all the usual characteristics of a Belphegor album cover,(a woman with a goats head and other satanic imagery) yet its a perfect teaser of the resplendent style that Conjuring The Dead does so effortlessly.
Conjuring The Dead may not be to everyone’s taste, if you’re looking for something overly technical for the sake of being technical then look elsewhere. Here we have a band that have found a perfect, organic sounding balance and in doing so have written one of the heaviest,simple and most memorable albums of the year. For only having two members Belphegor not only seriously know how to make a lot of noise, but do so in an elegant and magnificent fashion.
