Vorkreist: Sigil Whore Christ

The pedal-tone riff, the swelling drums, and the angst-filled voice – "Why weren't you crucified?" – provide a nightmarish intro to 'De Imitatione Christi', a ruthlessly bleak track that combines the blackest of guitar lines with punishing drums and an acidic vocal delivery. With such an impressive opening track, French metal loons Vorkreist's fourth album, Sigil Whore Christ, is off to an impressive start. 'Maledicte' brings rabidly spat staccato vocals to the black/death mix. 'Deus Vult' brings more of what the band appear to be incredible at: riffs, riffs, and, yes, more lavishly savaging riffs. And just when the album looks set to peak, the demented lead work in the opening to 'Dominus Illuminatio Mea' and the nightmarish pinch harmonics around the mid-way point push the album further out into the bleak and unhinged. It's at this point that Sigil Whore Christ starts to wear and similarities in structure, sound and approach start to emerge. Thus, the torrent continues with 'Memento Mori' and 'Ecce Homo' introducing instrumentally sparse, resonant passages to the hellish assault that make for a welcome and interesting change to the aesthetic. The speed demon that is 'Per Aspera Ad Astra' blasts out the gates for a furious two minutes before the weakest and most ineffective track, 'Ad Nauseum', threatens to bring the album down. But fortunately the eight-minute epic 'Scalae Gemoniae' saves the album from dithering its way to an anti-climax. Vorkreist's fourth album may not be the best album out there but it's far from the worst. However, had it been an EP, this would have been much improved. Stick around though, Vorkreist are worth keeping an eye – and ear – on.

Track Listing:

1. De Imitatione Christi
2. Maledicte
3. Deus Vult
4. Dominus Illuminatio Mea
5. Memento Mori
6. Ecce Homo
7. Per Aspera Ad Astra
8. Ad Nauseam
9. Scalae Gemoniae

Added: April 22nd 2012
Reviewer: Jason Guest
Score:
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Language: english

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