Serpent of Old – Ensemble Under the Dark Sun

Serpent of Old slithers onto the scene with their debut album, “Ensemble Under the Dark Sun.” This offering promises a venomous cocktail of black and death metal, sure to set the underground scene ablaze. Let’s dissect this sonic serpent, track by track, and see if “Ensemble Under the Dark Sun” delivers a potent dose of extreme metal or a derivative concoction.

A Venomous Fusion of Black and Death:

• Whispers in the Abyss (3:12): The album erupts with a barrage of blast beats and tremolo-picked guitars, a declaration of allegiance to the black metal gods. Vocals, courtesy of Malthus, are a guttural rasp, perfectly capturing the genre’s signature ferocity. The song sets the tone for the album, a relentless assault on the senses. However, hints of melodic death metal influences emerge in the guitar work, showcasing the band’s willingness to experiment within the boundaries of extreme metal.
• Denial (4:07): The album delves deeper into death metal territory. Down-tuned guitars and a pummeling drum performance create a crushing heaviness. Malthus’ vocals shift between growls and high-pitched screams, showcasing his impressive range. The lyrics, though likely cryptic, might explore themes of existential dread and the futility of existence, common tropes in extreme metal.
• Obscure Majesty (3:42): A return to black metal fury emerges. The song features a blistering tempo and a dissonant atmosphere. The use of tremolo picking and blast beats creates a sense of chaotic urgency. Malthus’ vocals are a shrieking onslaught, channeling the spirit of black metal legends. There’s a hint of melody buried beneath the sonic assault, adding a touch of memorability to the unrelenting aggression.
• Carving a Path Through Corpses (4:18): The album injects a dose of technicality. The song features intricate guitar work and impressive drum fills, showcasing the band’s instrumental prowess. The black metal influences remain strong, with blast beats and tremolo picking forming the foundation. Malthus’ vocals maintain their guttural intensity, perfectly complementing the song’s aggressive nature. The lyrics likely revel in the violence and destruction associated with extreme metal imagery.
• Desolation Reigns (5:12): The album’s epic centerpiece arrives. This sprawling track features a dynamic range, shifting from moments of blast-beat fury to slower, more atmospheric sections. The use of keyboards adds a touch of unexpected atmosphere, momentarily breaking away from the relentless aggression. Malthus delivers a varied vocal performance, incorporating spoken word passages and guttural growls. The lyrics likely explore themes of apocalyptic destruction and the triumph of darkness, a fitting subject for the album’s closer.

Verdict: 3.5 out of 5

“Ensemble Under the Dark Sun” is a promising debut from Serpent of Old. The album delivers a potent blend of black and death metal influences, showcasing the band’s technical abilities and commitment to sonic extremity. The songwriting is solid, with each track offering a unique blend of aggression and atmosphere. Malthus proves himself a capable vocalist, delivering a performance that is both ferocious and nuanced. The production is raw and powerful, perfectly capturing the intensity of the music.

A minor point to consider: Listeners expecting a clear distinction between black and death metal might find the album’s constant genre-bending a bit disorienting. The reliance on extreme metal tropes like blast beats and guttural vocals might feel derivative to some listeners.

However, for fans of extreme metal seeking a fresh take on the genre’s established formulas, “Ensemble Under the Dark Sun” is a venomous delight. Serpent of Old injects a youthful energy and impressive technicality into the mix, proving to be a band to watch out for. This debut album is a solid foundation for a promising career in the extreme metal underground.