Artist: Carrion Liturgy
Country: USA
Label: Venereal Veneration
Formats: Demo Tape
Year: 2025
Without much information to go on, I can basically only mention that Carrion Liturgy is a new Black Metal project from USA, helmed by a duo whose identities are not yet revealed. So, it is hard to tell whether the two of them were in other bands before, but judging from the quality on offer on ‘Demo I’, obviously the band’s debut, I would be surprised if this was their debut as a musician.
In three tracks in just under fifteen minutes the two show off their talent for captivating Black Metal that borders on both Raw Black Metal and Pagan-like Black Metal. The rawness of the music obviously shows instantly, but there is a profound feeling of pride and fierceness in the music that is reminiscent of classic Pagan Black Metal. The music’s triumphant nature fits greatly to the cover of this first demo. It shows both the beauty and harshness of nature, something that is expertly reflected through the music as well.
The sharpness of the guitars and the icy vocal delivery feel very much entwined in a freezing winter storm, but the propulsive drums are there to keep the blood pumping. This compelling blend is poured in a mold of an authentic 00’s production that is both clear enough to give each individual instrument its well-deserved place, but at the same time it sounds rough enough around its edges to meet the approval of the Black Metal purists. This well-balanced production allows both the guitarist and drummer (not credited, if even human) to show their excellent skills, both are adding so much to the overall musicality of ‘Demo I’ and make them easily stand out from the overcrowded contemporary Black Metal scene.
The dynamics in these songs are probably the thing that glues all the separate elements together. The demo literally blasts off from the very first moments, but regularly slows down to a more rocking pace in which the guitars almost touch a sawing Hellhammer-like feeling and even ventures into some great punk-like bits. In the latter moments I recognize some similarities with the early works of Akitsa, maybe not as gnarly or as ultimately rugged in nature, but still.
Should these words have piqued your interest somewhat, you would do yourself a favor by actually turning on the demo. American label Venereal Veneration has provided the cassette tape version of this demo, perhaps not easy to obtain everywhere, but definitely worth a little hunting.
