Vacivus – Temple of the Abyss (Profound Lore Records. 2017).

Vacivus – Temple of the Abyss (Profound Lore Records. 2017).

After the demonic evil of the previous EPs, one cannot help but have had very high hopes for the debut Vacivus album. The previous material was imbued with the spirit of the Void itself, bearing a malevolence that many seek to channel but so often cannot fully achieve. However, on this album, Vacivus have truly exceeded themselves. It starts with the masterfully crafted Premonitions intro track, which through the simple use of whispered vocals, a repeated piano tune, and a rumbling of bass helps set the tone for the rest of the album. This malevolence is continued and heightened through the first minute and a half of Towards Infinite Chasms, helping to further build up the towering sense of evil before diving head forth into the Void. Each song permeates a sense of Stygian evil, and is full of killer, catchy riffs and screeching solos that will get stuck in your head and possess your mind. This is especially so with the malevolent Summoning Apophis. This song channels the spirit of entropy and cosmic dissolution, especially during the mid-paced sections with the use of sound-effects in the first of the mid-paced sections around the two-minute mark adding to those morbid slower riffs to channel a sense of universal collapse. The song Black Flame Serpent is mind-blowing from start to finish. The acoustic introduction and chanting of Kali, combined with the pitch-black riffs of the rest of the song, perfectly captures the dark nature of the lyrics. During the chorus and especially during the chants of “Kali” around the three-minute mark, one can feel transported to this torchlit temple at night and as if one is witnessing an arcane religious ceremony in praise of Maha Kali and Death itself, breathing in the incense through the riffs. With regards to the production, I would say that it is meaty and powerful, with guitars, bass, and drums all balanced well and pummelling your face in with a savage fury. This was in the top five best underground metal releases for 2017 and is a great sign of the continuing vitality of Vacivus. 9/10.