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Given the fact that Satyricon frontman Satyr suffered a seizure a few years back due to a benign cyst in his brain, the subsequent period of recovery, and having to start everything all over again, long term fans could have been forgiven for thinking that was the end of the band. Thankfully, although a long and ongoing process, Satyr seems to be gradually getting back to full strength, and if anything, ‘Deep Calleth Upon Deep’ is testament to his indomitable spirit. Stalwarts of the black metal scene for decades, Satyricon have gradually evolved their sound over the last few albums into something more accessible. The aggression and ferocity from ‘Rebel Extravangza’ morphing over time into a more melodic, gothic brand of metal. ‘Midnight Serpent’ is a stunning introduction to the album. Powerful, Iommi-sized riffs, and a steady, precise drumming from Frost, the other half of Satyricon. It has a guitar sound that most sludge bands would give their left nut for, and features many twists and turns. Satyr himself sounds amazing, and his deep, brooding, spoken word vocals towards the end are strangely hypnotic. Musically, ‘Blood Cracks Open The Ground’ has a slight Metallica sound to it (as does ‘Burial Rite’). Anyone catching Hetfield and Co. for the first time this October might dig the rhythmic riffing and stay around for further exploration. The six minutes of ‘To Your Brethren In The Dark’ offer up a melancholic moment that buries deep inside the listener’s head. If old time metalheads could get past the black metal tag, they would find plenty to devour in this one. The title track is a great mixture of slow, sludgy riffs and alluring, hypnotic background vocals, one for late night listening pleasures through headphones. ‘The Ghost Of Rome’ follows, and is the catchiest moment on the album. Satyricon? Catchy? Yep, correct! A glorious gothic romp, complete with more of the haunting background vocals. Sisters Of Mercy with harsher vocals and bigger riffs? Maybe. ‘Dissonant’ throws you off course with it’s brief, bizarre sax intro, but after a ‘what-the-hell-was-that’ moment, it settles into more familiar territory. This continues with the seven minute epic, ‘Black Wings And Withering Gloom’. With a song title like that you know not to expect some good cheer, but bleakness never sounded this good. There are changes in tempo throughout, and another chilling spoken word performance from Satyr. Long term fans might baulk at what they perceive to be the sound of a band turning their back on their roots. I prefer to see it as a band re-energised and revitalised after a fairly traumatic period in their history. Available now through Napalm Records. Review: Dave Stott Band Image courtesy of Marius Viken]]>
