UNAUSSPRECHLICHEN KULTEN - Baphomet Pan Shub-Niggurath (IRON BONEHEAD LP 2014)
I honestly have great weakness for the music of Chilean masters of obscure death metal with the unpronounceable name Unaussprechlichen Kulten. I love their releases such as the killer split LP with After Death, some of the seven inches they putted out and obviously also the crushing "People of the Monolith" album. I think they're one of the best, if not the best, South American bands of recent years and every new stuff they put out is a must to have for me. "Baphomet Pan Shub-Niggurath" is Unaussprechlichen Kulten's third full length album, from 2014. And first thing, which you will certainly notice, when taking this record in your hands, is, as usual for this band, killer artwork and layout. The artwork is horrid and disturbing, all photographs bring evil and demonic feeling and it all correspondents with the music and its concept perfectly.
Unaussprechlichen Kulten is one of those bands, whose music is very special. I do believe that after all the stuff they released thus far, they managed to create their own, original style, even though it all is deeply rooted in the traditional death metal. First off, it's the whole conceptual matter, which makes it exceptional and sound so bloody fantastic. Unaussprechlichen Kulten comes with deeply involved and truly spectacular concept based on Lovecraft's horrid myths, with all its ancient gods, terrifying creatures, blood freezing invocations and uncanny events. But it's something more than just copying "Madness From the Sea", as Unaussprechlichen Kulten really takes care of their lyrics and concepts, with every new release being another chapter, all written as The Esoteric Order of Dagon. Personally I'm not an expert of these macabre tales, but I have to say that I love this concept and its dark, horrid aura. And I like also that for albums like "Baphomet Pan Shub-Niggurath" the band comes with some short notes, describing what is the text about or based on. All in all, the whole concept of Unaussprechlichen Kulten makes them already the unique band.
But the music also became fascinating and special. At first it seemed like they were a band with just strong Immolation, Incantation, Morbid Angel or Sadistic Intent influence. And sure, they do have a lot in common musically with these legends. But no way is Unaussprechlichen Kulten a copy cat of them and over the years their music became more and more recognizable and original. Their riffs, arrangements and obviously also the atmosphere of the music are exceptional, especially with the brutal, but demonic sounding vocals of Joseph Curwen. Vocals arrangements, with lyrics that combine English, Spanish and R'lyehian definitely work exceptionally good. All these things putted together are a reason why Unaussprechlichen Kulten music sound so fuckin great.
"Baphomet Pan Shub-Niggurath" is barely 35 minutes long album, but its intensity, aggression and fine death metal riffage (not to forget about the blood freezing atmosphere!) are enough to have a great influence on the listener, as I believe it is impossible not to get impressed with this music. Every song sounds great, playing this record gives you a good dose of energy and real hard kick in the face. It is all impressive, I like the performance of the band, the riffs, with good balance between slower and faster parts, between brutality and some sort of sick, obscure harmony. And the production is perfect for this sort of death metal, I think. With songs like "Yogge-Sothothe, Umr at-Tawil (Creatura Terrae part 1)", "Nomem Mysticum (The Second Oath)" or "The Hooded Baphomet Bleated" it all works perfectly for me and really there's nothing more to wish for. Supposedly there's new album coming in 2017 titled "Keziah Lilith Medea (Chapter X)", and you can be sure that I will want to grab a copy as soon as possible.
Standout tracks: "Yogge-Sothothe, Umr at-Tawil (Creatura Terrae part 1)", "Nomem Mysticum (The Second Oath)", "The Hooded Baphomet Bleated"
Final rate: 85/100
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