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DEATHLESS LEGACY “Damnatio Aeterna”
DEATHLESS LEGACY “Damnatio Aeterna”
By Iron Sheik
Invoking Lucifer, Malchrum who is a lesser demon, unforgivable sin and eternal damnation, DEATHLESS LEGACY have created a fascinating and intense aural pleasure on “Damnatio Aeterna”. This is album number seven for Milan, Italy's occult gothic horror heavy metal outfit. Each release has shown progression in their writing and music, giving the listener something as heavy and ethereal as it is grotesque and shocking.
What are we in for when listening to “Damnatio Aeterna”? A symphonic journey being courted by the seducing vocals of Steva Deathless, haunting guitar work of Sgt Bones, thumping and ever present bass by Deadwood Nick, ethereal and ever pleading keyboards and pressing piano by Alex Van Eden, intense drums by Frater Orion, and finally a performer known as Revyla. Again I get the pleasure of getting to review a DEATHLESS LEGACY album as I also had the pleasure of reviewing their previous one, “Mater Larvarum”. That last album was my introduction to the band, so getting to review “Damnatio Aeterna” is an offering I could not refuse. Without anymore blabbering I will talk about the songs.
As we begin with opening track “Damnatio Aeterna” we learn Malchrum is coming "from the depths of Archeon into Cocytus lake". Eternal damnation with a "shiver of pain." Pleading forgiveness in “Miserere” he sometimes wishes he "could hang from a tree." At this point my mind detoured to Billie Holiday's hit “Strange Fruit”. It fits in a weird way. Anyway, the next track “Get On Your Knees” has a familiar sound replete with piano. It musically conveys the pleading, the urgency. It is one of my favorite songs on the album. By mid album we have the haunting almost Halloween-esque opening to “Oblivion” which gives way to some intense speed metal territory. “Spiritus Sanctus Diabolicus” then takes the listener into the realm where "I fear I am not alone." Heading into the end of the story is “Nightshade” which is pleading to "come to me." “Gehenna” closes out the album with music that brings to mind KING DIAMONDs “Cremation”.
At roughly 55 minutes we are left with a feeling of wanting more. I have heard that when an album leaves you feeling that way the band has done their job. It is time well spent as well as a history lesson left to the listener to research. I will admit I have never heard of this story before, so I had to look some things up. DEATHLESS LEGACY is a band that creates excellent dark stories. I am glad this album was sent my way because of how I have become a fan of theirs. . DEATHLESS LEGACY and “Damnatio Aeterna” may well be playing into an unforgivable sin, but a damn good one nonetheless!
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