There are many factors that need to go right to execute a quality album. As we’ve seen many times over, an extremely high level of talent does not always equal a quality record. When it comes to the Finnish black metal project Pestilent Hex, the talent is obviously overflowing. The duo of Lauri Laaksonen (Desolate Shrine, Convocation, Ordinance) and Matti Mäkelä (Corpsessed, Tyranny, Profetus, Tormentor Tyrant) obviously have a ton going for them. Their other projects speak for themselves, with both being masters at the death and doom genres. Here, they’re out to tackle black metal that harkens towards the early 90s second wave bands that leaned in a melodic and symphonic aesthetic. Debut full-length The Ashen Abhorrence mirrored that era closely; swelling symphonic arrangements, icy tonality, and an epic sort of atmosphere that reminds of the early days of Dimmu Borgir and Emperor.
With Sorceries of Sanguine & Shadow, that influence remains ever present, however, the project has evolved into more of a monster of its own design. Remaining are the lush keyboard sections, but in a little more focused manner, while the overall tone has taken a more twisted, darker form. After an intro that’s certainly influenced by “The Moonlight Sonata” to set the stage, “Sciomancy and Sortilege” swells with keys, accompanied by a nifty lead that speeds toward a riff of deliciously infectious quality. As mentioned previously, the expected pieces are there, but the pacing is more varied, and the arrangements more cutting and bold. The most memorable portion of this opening salvo is when the twosome slows proceedings down, letting the impressive rhythms take center stage, tearing through the mix and cutting the listener to pieces.
“Through the Mirrors Beyond” continues the differentiation in feel and pace, shredding away as Mäkelä’s harrowing shriek provides ample terror. He utilizes his deeper death metal growl to a degree here as well, showing that side of his voicings that we know so well from other projects. Keyboard arrangements are consistently present, but aren’t constant and are somewhat more subdued, allowing Laaksonen’s precise instrumentation to shine. He’s an accomplished master of many styles, and his writing and performance here can go toe-to-toe with any currently wading in blackened waters and beyond. Again opting for a longer song format, this choice serves what Pestilent Hex has concocted, given that each of the six main tracks are far from predictable or safe. “Of Hexcraft and Laws Three-fold” is an outright crusher, with a specifically excellent drum performance via Laaksonen, layered between melodies from soaring to razor-sharp.
Speaking of melodies, “Spectral Voyage” sets a melancholic tone to provide a cloudy, tense affair. Don’t fret; there’s plenty of bite in this track, brandishing numerous moments that are amongst the more aggressive on Sorceries of Sanguine & Shadow. Opting to close with the most ambitious composition, “Sanguine Gnosis” is chilling in aura, ceding ample breathing room for the unsettling atmospheric shroud to engulf. Select sections are nearly a blackened doom sensibility, balanced by ferocious, galloping segments that conveys an air of sheer brutality. Add the pipe organ interlude at around the six minute mark for maximum creepiness, followed by a voracious and decisive final stretch to tie everything together.
Notable are the production choices, opting for a robust, full sound profile that accentuates Pestilent Hex’s individual instrumentation and range of vocal offerings while not allowing any single piece to overshadow what’s going on around it. This was also courtesy of Laaksonen (all but the vocals, which were completed by Mäkelä, with full mastering completed by the prolific Dave Otero). Even the savage cover art was a Laaksonen special – what is it that this guy can’t do? Give this man all the flowers. Hell, he’s probably a seasoned gardener, too. Look out, Tuomas Saukkonen.
If a craving for that mid-90s symphonic black metal sound is itching away, Pestilent Hex have that covered at minimum, though stating solely that would be grossly unfair. Sorceries of Sanguine & Shadow boasts clever songwriting, slithering smoothly in many unexpected directions, rewarding the listener with a searing black metal record with plenty to uncover. This is the sort of album that only gets better with repeated spins, of which we’ll be indulging in plenty more. Pestilent Hex have iterated off of everything The Ashen Abhorrence did well, added fresh perspectives and new avenues to explore, and turned up the nastiness level. The resulting Sorceries of Sanguine & Shadow amounts to a top draw record that’s sure to please black metal hordes of many persuasions.