Upon the Altar – Profanation’s Vapor (Battalious Blackened Death Metal)

 

I usually think I’m prepared to withstand any battering after all these years listening to stuff like this, but Poland’s Upon the Altar had other plans for my mind this week (and my body). In spite of a fairly short career, not including other projects they’ve all been involved in, this trio have been holding masterclasses in blackened death metal like true PhDs. I’ve heard many a band claim their music is a descent into an abyss, full of desolation, and perhaps blasphemous fury. These are some of the more common buzzwords these days, and must I mention “cavernous” in relationship to production again? Because I’ve heard that one too. But, in spite of these features certainly finding evidence in Profanation’s Vapor, let’s just say I’m happy this is only an EP because I probably wouldn’t have survived longer. An ominous intro sets the stage, and then all chaos lets loose.

   

Upon the Altar wield formidable technique, as I found on previous releases, but here they’ve put together something both ancient and violently contemporary. They don’t need any more space than they give you for this one. Of particular note is the vocal delivery, which features multi-layered, harrowing screams, tomblike roars, and shrieking, which together with the nihilistic sound make this one all the more malevolent. They way they sweep around together elevates this one far above most blackened death metal. If you consider yourself a connoisseur of the darker corners of the genre, Profanation’s Vapor will command your reverence and abandonment of the more common things in metal.

 

Upon the Altar Official Bandcamp

Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls

Upon the Altar – Profanation’s Vapor
Godz Ov War Productions
Cover Art: Mar.A Artworks (Mara Artworks)
4.5 / 5