Khthoniik Cerviiks - SeroLogiikal Scars (Vertex of Dementiia)

KHTHONIIK CERVIIKS - SeroLogiikal Scars (Vertex of Dementiia) (IRON BONEHEAD Productions Lp 2016)

My first encounter with "SeroLogiikal Scars (Vertex of Dementiia)" and Khthoniik Cerviiks in general was quite accidental, I never had a chance to hear "Heptaëdrone", which is previous Khthoniik Cerviiks recording. So, I didn’t even think about giving their debut full length a chance. But one song has been randomly played on YouTube and it clicked with me immediately. And well, I have now vinyl in my collection and without a doubt, "SeroLogiikal Scars (Vertex of Dementiia)" is a fantastic and truly exceptional album, which stands above the mediocrity and crushes most of the new albums due to its quality and originality. 

Yes, originality is one of the keys for my appreciation of "SeroLogiikal Scars (Vertex of Dementiia)". Khthoniik Cerviiks, like no other band, brilliantly combines old, classic death / black metal formulas, with all their aggression, viciousness and intensity with something fresh and unique. The base of the music is deeply rooted in the traditional means, but with song structures, arrangements, technique and ideas, especially for the melodic riffs, it’s something absolutely exceptional. And is also a reason, why I think Khthoniik Cerviiks is such a worthy band. Give a listen to any song from "SeroLogiikal Scars"; each will catch your attention immediately. Especially the instrumentation is fantastic, because these guys do know how to play. And somehow with their technicality, they managed to keep the bestial, malicious side of death / black metal intact. Tempo wise this album is quite fast paced, which is also something I like a lot. This way there's nothing lame about it, but powerful, intense sound, which strikes the listener with no second wasted. 

Sometimes it almost feels like vocals were only an addition to the music, if you notice that the first proper vocal line appears in the sixth minute of music. Death / black metal riffs are often quite progressive, twisted, with almost weird melodic lines, tempo variations, technique. With the obscure atmosphere, it gives you sort of a cosmic feeling, it’s a fascinating journey through far dimensions. This music may not be an easy to listen and "SeroLogiikal Scars" definitely requires attention, several spins, before it all hits you well. But this won't be a wasted time, I can guarantee, and the album is just worth to listen to. I've seen somewhere Voivod mentioned as an important influence for Khthoniik Cerviiks and I can agree with it, even though Khthoniik Cerviiks music is much more brutal and intense. Also Nocturnus, Deathspell Omega, Blood Incantation, Portal, Bolzer, Demilich... all these bands have something in common with this German kommando. But they all stand as individuals, so does Khthoniik Cerviiks, who are absolutely recommended entity in the current underground extreme metal scene. 

Standout tracks: "Miindwrecked (Project Eigengalaxy)", “SeroLogiikal Scars (Sequence 2.0: Veiled Viiral Vektor)” 

Verdict: 80/100