Lord Belial - The Black Curse
1. Pazuzu – Lord of Fevers and Plague
2. Trumpets of Doom
3. Sworn
4. Inexorable Retribution
5. Antichrist Reborn
6. Primordial Incantation
7. Devilish Enlightenment
8. Ascension of Lilith
9. Unorthodox Catharsis
10. Soul Gate
Sweden’s Lord Belial strike again, this time with their new album ‘The Black Curse’. Following their full-length last year, ‘Revelation – The 7th Seal’, the band’s new offering submits more melodic black metal blasphemy and unhinged hatred.
‘Pazuzu – Lord of Fevers and Plague’ is a dirty opening number with black ‘n’ roll influences which infuses the music with a reckless edge. Conversely, melodic guitar passages equip the track, varying the tone. Accenting the music is a good employment of guitar solos, particularly on ‘Inexorable Retribution’ and more harrowingly on ‘Primordial Incantation’ where the guitar howls as if lamenting in anguish.
‘Trumpets of Doom’ features a delicate and fragile guitar in its introduction which adds a welcomed extra dimension. The use of keyboards on this track is commendable and corroborates the guitars’ messages successfully. As if to signify a return to the origin, the closing hymn ‘Soul Gate’ has a prevalent black ‘n’ roll sound, ending the album on a fine note.
Lord Belial’s magnitude of credibility has certainly outlived the conventional melodic black metal band’s. ‘The Black Curse’ is testimony to the band’s fresh musical ideas. However, there are a few moments on this release where stagnation is evident. Fortunately there is nothing disabling, ensuring a pleasant listen.
Review by Elena Francis
‘The Black Curse’ is out now on Regain Records.
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