Medico Peste - א: Tremendum et Fascinatio

MEDICO PESTE -א: Tremendum et Fascinatio (MALIGNANT VOICES - CD 2012)

I really do like the way some black metal bands are developing this style, into something truly evil, sinister and disturbing. The times, when this genre was considered to be nothing more, but just raw and primitive are long gone; now the bands are able and dare to explore many different sounds and influences, what results with some truly astonishing releases. And when I listen to such albums as Medico Peste’s debut CD “א: Tremendum et Fascinatio”, then I’m again very impressed, especially if I realize that this is a debut full length, predeceased only by one demo release… Damn, not bad for such relatively new coming band!

I guess someone may say that Medico Peste do not discover anything new really and sure, they would be right, but even if there are some bands, which play similar sort of music, then they are relatively small in numbers. I guess those Poles must be mainly influenced by some French bands, as they try to create similar atmosphere and do so with such uncommon sounds. If I mention Hell Militia, Antaeus, Merrimack, just to say few, then it may give you some idea. Then obviously one could mention some Swedish hordes (some similarities to Shining?), as well as Polish Kriegsmaschine and maybe even Mayhem from some of their recent recordings… Well, what do you think then? Medico Peste first of all concentrates on creating a deep, utterly possessing and involving atmosphere and for that they often use almost ambiental or neoclassical fragments and the riffs may not necessarily be just typical fast and straight ahead bulldozers, but rather slow or mid paced, often sounding creepy as hell and it seems like Medico Peste do not rush themselves, but takes time, concentrating on their instrumental passages to get the most thrilling result. OK, they do blast here and there also, some parts are fuckin fast (!), but the balance between them and the atmospheric moments is like 30 to 70, I guess, so the slow, misanthropic playing prevails, but do not dominate over the whole CD, which is good, otherwise it could have been quite boring.

And if there’s something, what “א: Tremendum et Fascinatio” is not, then it is not a boring album, even if it tends to be slightly monotonous here and there…. Also a small impression of lacking a bit of aggression or devastation comes few times. Still, there are so many things going on here; starting with quite experimental and diverse vocal parts, which sound like were performed by a bigger number of people and often run away from the typical black metal harsh shriek towards more ghoulish or spoken voices. And musically such song as “The Great Ilumination” is almost doomy, it may be the slowest song of all, but it does create almost sort of religious ambience (hmm, some riffs and vocals reminds me almost the sort of doomy death bands like Autopsy!), while “Livid” brings almost post metallic resemblances (with the way the guitars play and build the tension) before it finally blasts the hatred out with the incredible strength. And then again “Thanksgiving” slowly crawls in melancholy until it bursts furiously in the ending part. This is what Medico Peste is like. Nothing is predictable and obvious here.

While listening to “א: Tremendum et Fascinatio” I sometimes start to wonder how would this material sound live. I mean this music is destined to be rather listened at home, from the CD or LP (which will be released a bit later), so the listener can swallow the sounds and get possessed by them, rather than to bang your head and drink beer, while sweating among the jumping monkeys around you, if you know what I mean. But from the other hand, if Medico Peste will do everything right and manage to recreate the atmosphere from the album with the proper “show” (if this word fits this band?) then it could be truly blood freezing. Time will tell, now I can only advise you to get “א: Tremendum et Fascinatio” and contemplate it fully, as this is truly an interesting and intriguing album, one which stands above many similar black metal releases. I’m very glad that the Polish scene got yet another killer black metal act; our scene really becomes one of the best around the globe! Recommended!

Standout tracks: “Thanksgiving”, “I Wither Without Your Grace”

Final rate: 75/100