CORPUS CHRISTII – The Bitter End of Old

The long-running Portugese purveyors of deep-seated melancholy is undoubtedly one of the most noteworthy bands in the black metal underground today, and their upcoming LP titled “The Bitter End of Old” marks yet another step forward in the determined duo’s ongoing journey.

The 9-track record is a bone-chilling affair and a most potent offering that expertly weaves the harsh, the disturbing, and the strangely beautiful together to stunning effect. There is a touch of melodrama subtly lurking in its sharp turns and movements, and on top of that, there is something incredibly alluring about such stellar compositions as “From Here to Nothing”, “Unearthly Forgotten Memory”, “To the End, to the Void”, and “For I am All” where the solemn riffs and caustic vocals complement each other to such an extent that the disc attains an aura that is overwhelmingly sinister and delightfully unorthodox. In many ways, the album is a seductive blend of hatred, sadness, and introspection, and one does not walk away from having immersed oneself in it without having felt the impact of its emotional intensity. In short, this is a pitch-black musical triumph that just so happens to be wrapped in staggeringly evocative artwork not to mention that it feels as if everything is connected and that all aspects of the entire package underline and emphasize the same thoughts and feelings as outlined in the lyrics. Fabulous stuff!