Polish Deep Desolation are a band, who already managed to sound somewhat unique on their debut album 'Subliminal Visions' (2011). Their two main ingredients are black metal and doom metal, and other styles are frequently used to spice up their songs. The band's sophomore full length album 'Rites of Blasphemy' was released after 2012's split album 'Chapel of Fear' (with Iugulatus and Primal). Does it manage to be another characteristic musical journey or what?

Yes, Deep Desolation have carved a niche of their own, I'd like to believe. One thing that comes clear straight from the beginning, that they know how to use atmospheric elements, created with keyboards and samples, to truly lift up Luciferian atmosphere. The intro bit on 'Between the Tits of a Witch' (now that title is pure perfectionism) reminds me of those eerie telepathic dream messages of John Carpenter movie "Prince of Darkness". When the band gets in action, dirty and punky yet malevolent black metal is heard, before the doom metal hits in in vein of early material from legendary UK doomsters Cathedral and Electric Wizard, for example. The bass guitar, which is distorted, really assaults forward and highly reminds me of Greek band Necromantia's style, and while this is for an acquired taste, it simultaneously works as rhythm riffing and a bass. The song is both catchy and with a jam vibe, really getting "out there" towards ending, not unlike Hawkwind's misty moments. And while 'Searching for Yesterday' sounds like a mixture of Motörhead and Venom, but with trademark DD tones, it is this black/doom hybrid the band have made as their own.

The songs feature various styles, but still it all blends well together. None of the songs here do not follow the similar line compositional line, and certainly there is no need to fear to be hearing any kind of hit song material here. This is metal, not some chart list stuff. That's not saying, that there are no memorable moments here, because there are, a quite a lot of them, too. However, 'Rites of Blasphemy' still is a journey every time it's listened to. And personally I find this trait to be favourable for the band and this album. The lead guitar work ending the album is very distinctive and unique, and it's interesting to see what the band can conjure up in future. I think their possibilities are very broad, indeed.

The album has a live vibe, as it sounds like a quartet is playing on it, and not too much of studio trickery was used. The downside of this is that the sound is stuffy and the elements aren't always heard very well from it all. Plus, the snare drums sound way too tame and aren't loud enough. It could be so much more devastating, if the production job was more attacking. Everything was played with enthusiasm, and the vocals are, in all their variety, pretty great. Growls, grunts, snarls, all kinds of ugly and barbaric styles are abound. The lyrics are partly corny, as on the 'Between the Tits of a Witch', but there is also more humourless, grave and darker texts to be found, one from William Blake (although translated to Polish).

'Rites of Blasphemy' isn't too similar when compared to the debut album. This has more of melodic parts, and is a bit catchier for that reason. Perhaps it is because of the doom elements are more frequent and stronger now, after the progression which really started on those two songs on that split album. As aforementioned, there is a wide spectrum available for Deep Desolation to explore.

Rating: 7+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
01/21/2013 23:01