Five years in the making, Sulphur Aeon returns with their fourth studio album, “Seven Crowns and Seven Seals,” a descent into harrowing soundscapes inspired by the cosmic dread of H.P. Lovecraft.
The album establishes its intent from the outset. “Sombre Tidings,” a brief intro track, sets the mood with an ominous atmosphere before erupting into the crushing riffage of “Hammer from the Howling Void.” This opening salvo exemplifies Sulphur Aeon’s signature sound: a potent blend of black metal’s fury and the bludgeoning heaviness of death metal.
While comparisons to bands like Behemoth and Immolation are understandable, “Seven Crowns and Seven Seals” pushes Sulphur Aeon beyond mere emulation. This album prioritizes a more nuanced and atmospheric approach. Tracks like “The Yearning Abyss Devours Us” showcase the band’s ability to craft a chilling soundscape, bolstered by moments of surprising melodic beauty. The haunting guitars and vocals weave a spell of cosmic horror, dragging the listener into an abyss of existential dread.
According to reviews from Angry Metal Guy, the album trades some of the raw brutality of previous releases for a more sophisticated and ritualistic feel. This focus on atmosphere doesn’t come at the expense of the band’s signature heaviness. Crushing riffs and blast beats remain a constant presence, a sonic representation of the unyielding cosmic entities that Sulphur Aeon invokes.
“Seven Crowns and Seven Seals” is a rewarding listen for fans of extreme metal and Lovecraftian horror. Sulphur Aeon has successfully delivered an album that is both terrifying and strangely beautiful, a testament to their ever-evolving sound.
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