Norwegian black metal giants Satyricon dropped their ninth studio album, ‘Deep Calleth Upon Deep’, at the end of September. The anticipation for this album was overwhelming; what direction would the duo of Satyr and Frost go in next? They’ve never been afraid to experiment and evolve their sound; moving away from their true Norwegian black metal sound of ‘Dark Medieval Times’ (1994) to the accessible black ‘n’ roll of ‘Now, Diabolical’ (2006). Their last album ‘Satyricon’ (2013) was a bit of a retrospective mishmash, and possibly too much of a departure from black metal convention even for many of their most tolerant fans. Would they continue along this path?
In the interest of transparency I should disclose that I completely and utterly adore this band. Their 2002 album ‘Volcano’ was my first introduction to black metal – a genre that has since become such a large part of my life; my passion and reason to exist. The first time I saw Satyricon live, at Bloodstock 2009, they blew me away and cemented themselves as one of my two most favourite bands in the world (I refuse to choose between them and UK black metallers Shadowflag).
So, bearing that in mind, my review is that it’s a very enjoyable listen, although it didn’t instantly grab me. Their back catalogue is so entwined into the very fibres of my being that it can be hard to move past it. However, over the past month, this album has insidiously worked its way in. It has been on a slow and meticulous march through my mind. As with every great Satyricon album before it, it bristles with raw power and precision.
Both members of Satyricon are on fine form throughout. Frost’s drumming on ‘Blood Cracks Open the Ground’ is nothing short of astonishing. Hammering home the message that he’s still one of the finest (if not the finest) extreme metal drummer out there. Satyr’s deep snarls completely cut through you on ‘To Your Brethren in the Dark’. This slow and solemn track is one of my favourites from this album. It’s certainly not ‘Mother North’ but there is something reminiscent of the feel of that anthem; its dark and comforting nature. The title track is a catchy earworm of a song which drips in the band’s trademark groove, as does ‘The Ghost of Rome’; both with some operatic arias thrown in for good measure. ‘Black Wings and Withering Gloom’ is a longer track at over 7 minutes; as grim and frost-bitten as the title suggests – Satyr spitting venom throughout.
‘Deep Calleth Upon Deep’ is a bold, self-assured album from Satyricon. You can’t help but respect their uncompromising creativity. They don’t care whether you enjoy this album or not. They’ve created what they had to and I’d rather that than them pandering to my desire for another ‘Nemesis Divinia’ or ‘Now,Diabolical’.
Rating: 4 out of 5
“It bristles with raw power and precision.”
Highlights: To Your Brethren in the Dark, Deep Calleth Upon Deep, Blood Cracks Open the Ground
‘Deep Calleth Upon Deep’ was released 22nd September 2017 via Napalm Records.
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