Grave Miasma - Exalted Emanation

GRAVE MIASMA - Exalted Emanation (SEPULCHRAL VOICE - LP 2009)

Grave Miasma quickly became one of my favourite death / black metal bands and in my private ranking they hold a very high place. But it cannot be different if they keep unleashing such a fury as "Odori Sepulcrorum" or "Exalted Emanation". The latter was released back in 2009 and it's a fantastic debut effort from Grave Miasma. Although it has 35 minutes on the clock, it's considered an EP, but that is not something I would care. What matters is that this is absolutely intriguing and mesmerizing piece of black / death metal and music, which really stands out from the overcrowded scene with something special and unique. 

Obviously, there are many other bands, which create similar type of extreme music. There's Necros Christos, Teitanblood, Grave Upheaval, Irkallian Oracle, Qrixkuor, Sheol, Embrace of Thorns and more. Each of them is great and unique In its own way. And each is characterised with this very dense, thick as a cemetery fog, almost claustrophobic wall of sound, which immensely crushes with its massive heaviness. This style of music is something what can be quite hard to get into, if you're not into such style and it can also feel quite one dimensional and unreadable, due to its density and close to cacophony, chaotic, often reverberating sound. But this is why you must treat it carefully, listen to it with attention, let these sounds swallow you. You need to immerse into this blackened abyss to find method in this madness. This is exactly how Grave Miasma's music sound like also. 

It’s thick, cacophonous, insanely heavy and vicious death / black metal, with utterly obscure, sepulchral atmosphere and fantastic ghoulish vocals, which add a lot to increase this bestial, evil aura. Everything is very well balanced, between faster parts and some slower tracks like that killer piece titled "Pillars". Here and there you may even be able to pick up a small trace of harmonious riff, but for me personally the most distinctive aspect of Grave Miasma music is how it can put you into some sort of trance. It's almost like a mantra, what can actually go in hand with the occult concept Grave Miasma presents. And damn, this is one of the darkest and most eerie, ghastly sounding music ever. Devouring, passionate, mesmerizing sounds... In my opinion this EP is close to perfection and I dare to say that Grave Miasma already reached a cult status. 

Standout tracks: “Pillars”, “Arisen Through the Grave Miasma” 

Verdict: 90/100