Artist: Dysangelium
Country: Germany
Label: W.T.C. Productions
Formats: CD EP
Year: 2025
German Black Metal band Dysangelium is not quite what you would say a prolific band. After their solid 2014 debut album ‘Thánatos Áskēsis’ it took the band five years to come up with the even better sophomore recording. And also this new EP has been six years in the making. But as often is the case with W.T.C. Productions related bands, some things just take time to ripen and come to fruition. So, it might have taken some years, but ‘Exxekratus’ is finally here and it is certainly an EP that can proudly wear the Dysangelium name.
The band’s previous material is characterized by its profound sense of unease. Warped riffs, lots of dissonance and Sektarist 0’s distinct shouty vocal antics never made Dysangelium a band for the ones into easy listening elevator-friendly Black Metal. The ones who have tried to sink their teeth in their music have definitely experienced that Dysangelium is quite a different beast to tame. Consequently, the band has as much admirers as misunderstanders. In short, a band that fits the W.T.C. Productions label perfectly.
‘Exxekratus’ is another work of art that will leave the aficionado of slightly unorthodox Black Metal in bafflement and the unbeliever in confusion. Pretty much in creative alignment of ‘Death Leading’, the band’s second album, this new EP is brimming with contrarian riffs and those typical angry caveman vocals. Especially the latter are having an even more prominent role than on the previous two releases, mostly due to a slight update in the recording quality and productional progression. Consequently, ‘Exxekratus’ sounds a little less raw and sharp, but that doesn’t change at all the overall sense of discomfort. On the contrary, I’d say. Due to this more balanced overall sound, the ever-changing and propulsive drums and Sektarist 0’s vocal antics, Dysangelium sounds darker and more oppressive than ever.
In good tradition, Dysangelium challenges our senses, a true cure to get rid of the foul taste of McDonalds-flavoured disposable Black Metal. This is not the stuff for your average Watain fan, that’s for sure. One side note though, who the hell approved this artwork?
