Artist: Eerified Catacomb
Country: Canada
Label: Death Hymns
Formats: Cassette Tape
Year: 2025
Simultaneously released with the ‘Liquidation Of Souls’-demo tape, Eerified Catacomb treats you on yet another sinister demo recording. While both demos have a similar cover art and layout and were materialized by Death Hymns, the two demos are quite different. In fact, they easily could’ve been recorded by two completely different bands. Eerified Catacomb effortlessly qualifies as one of Canada’s most revered underground acts, together with Starcave Nebula they are the pinnacle of their native country’s creative but harsh sounding Raw/Lo-Fi Black Metal. ‘Pallid Blue Memory’, however, shows a completely different side of the project.
Stripped from the harsh sounding Raw/Lo-Fi Black Metal, but sticking religiously to the projects signature creativity, ‘Pallid Blue Memory’ is more like a dreamscape. A colorful palette that simultaneously feels both soothing and terrifying; definitely an awkward experience. The music’s base is founded in a somewhat 70’s sounding Dark Ambient, but is heavily laced with Trip Hop/Downtempo. The result is, obviously, far removed from what Eerified Catacomb usually stands for, but creeps closer up to such UK acts as The Orb, the lesser hit-focussed work of Massive Attack or Goldfrapp. Towards the end of the 21-minute demo there’s even some mild Drum-‘n-Bass, that would even justify some cautious comparison with the most laid-back work of Enigma, Aphex Twin or Venetian Snares. Yet, it is clear that his is not U.E.’s regular ball game, but it is an interesting listen for sure. Yet, it goes without saying, if you came here for another portion of impenetrable Raw Black Metal, you’d better stick to ‘Liquidation Of Souls’.
