By all intents and purposes, black metal is one of those sounds that does not try outsiders kindly. Even the more accessible reaches of the sound have long been known for their harsh quality that seems almost bent on deterring its listener in some form or another with the sheer variety of ways the genre has to go about doing so quite extensive. Such intensity has been quite metamorphic with it changing forms, ideals, and goals as we shift from one band to the next, but it's every so often that we're met with an act that does far more than simply just to be imposing. Rather, they feel downright evil. Many have tried, and it's been a long time since I've come across something as unnerving as what Königreichssaal has put forth within its sophomore effort.
A cover art does a lot for an album given that it's more often than not the first thing that people see about any given album, especially when we're combing the digital archives to find something new to investigate with art like the one for "Psalmen'o'delirium" certainly something that feels designed to grab your attention. It pulls you in with its dark nature and perplexing imagery to make you wonder what kind of madness Königreichssaal is dealing in, and it's nothing for the light-hearted. This is black metal that feels designed to go for your very soul, rend your flesh until there's nothing left, and devour as much as it can with not even the void having enough to claim you. Overladen with tons of rhythm but more than enough manic songwriting that knows precisely how to get under your skin, ""Psalmen'o'delirium" is a vicious piece right from the beginning that offers no reprieve for any foolish enough to wander blindly into its clutches. It's immensely seductive despite being a clear work of immense aggression that's carefully made to leave no room for prisoners and offer no semblance of hope even if you are to somehow survive the onslaught that Königreichssaal in constantly bashing your skull with over seven truly demented tracks. Few pieces have come across my radar that have managed to really have it all from the raw nature of the material itself that really makes everything immeasurably visceral from the get-go, enough knowledge of the genre to remain equally dynamic and focused despite its deranged tendencies, and maddening power to drive it all home with true terror all that's to be had by the time the album comes to a close.
Many have tried, but "Psalmen'o'delirium" proves to be a cut above the rest with its true devotion to unyielding darkness. If this is what Königreichssaal is able to summon for just their second album then I am positively trembling at what else they're capable of. Much of what's been done here is what keeps the depths of black metal constantly moving forward, and it's not likely that the acolytes of such obscurity are going to let the likes of a band like this go now that we know what damage they can unleash.
"Psalmen'o'delirium" releases on June 7th via Godz ov War Productions!
LISTEN to an advanced track from "Psalmen'o'delirium" on Bandcamp here, or via YouTube below.
LIKE Königreichssaal on Facebook here.
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