Finnish death metal doesn’t always receive the fanfare of their Swedish counterparts, but that doesn’t mean Finland is taking second to anywhere without a firm kick to the jaw. One standout of somewhat more recent times is death metallers Sepulchral Curse. Their brand of death metal mixes plenty of blackened bite into their formula, along with a variety of other elements that have developed noticeably with each subsequent release. Debut full-length Only Ashes Remain was a direct, mid-paced black/death onslaught that pulled no punches, while also being a relatively low-frills affair. Second album Abhorrent Dimensions added a dose of melody to the mix, reducing the black metal influence a smidge, ultimately rounding out to be a more compelling and complex record than their first.
Having since joined forces with Dark Descent Records, one wondered what twists the band may have in store for album number three. Those answers come at us in the form of Crimson Moon Evocations; a release that introduces further tweaks to Sepulchral Curse’s expanding sound profile. The blackened elements are ever so slightly more prominent again, which is immediately evident in opener “Wildfires.” Grime-filled tremolos pair up with enormous riffs, sprinkled with bits of melody – especially the lead work towards the end of the track. Vocalist Kari Kankaanpää’s deep, thick growl shakes the ground with confident fury; a constant in all of Sepulchral Curse’s work, though here his snarl emits an added fire. Lest we forget drummer Johannes Rantala’s imposing, thunderous drum beats, giving a robust low end along with bass-slinger Niilas Nissilä that erupts forth with immense power.
“House of the Black Moon” is where the album slightly shifts tonally, boasting a sizable dose of melodic doom in both atmosphere and pacing. No, they’re not pulling a Swallow the Sun style shift, but that Finnish melancholy does emerge occasionally; just wrapped around a much heavier and guttural styling. The solo in the latter third of the song oozes downtrodden despair, combining well with the heavier, more antagonistic chunks. “The Locust Scar” continues this trend, though leaning towards the death end rhythmically more so than its predecessor, but not without biting and melodious leads – guitarists Jaakko Riihimäki and Aleksi Luukka work together seamlessly, both in this example and throughout the record.
Pieces such as “Beneath the Dismal Tides” show off the band’s diminutive, steady death metal rumble, whilst “The Currents of Chaos” presents a superb melding of big riffs and dreary doom-filled ambience. Finale “Crimson Passages” offers colossal crunch amongst soaring fretboard dynamics, leaving the listener with an abrasive, memorable entry to feast upon. Which brings us to a key element – Crimson Moon Evocations is the band’s most memorable to date, boasting the most mature songwriting we’ve seen from these fellows yet that provides songs that stick in the head like an industrial-strength adhesive. Add to that a production that’s both immense and vivid, the band have never sounded more potent. Check out that snazzy, dreary artwork, too, which helps complete the package.
Sepulchral Curse’s forward momentum remains steady, introducing slightly fresh characteristics to their sound as their upward ascent continues. While their magnum opus has yet to be written for this writer, their entire discography thus far continues to scratch my death metal itch like few others. Crimson Moon Evocations is an album overflowing with terrific earworms and searing savagery, with just the right amount of melodic sensibility to enhance their already delectable flavor palette. Their evolution has been a continuously effective one, with Crimson Moon Evocations being the tightest and most indelible work in their still burgeoning trajectory.