ALBUM REVIEW
Terrestrial Hospice – Omnicide Chapter 1
Nihilism, darkness, and flawless atmosphere collide.
I'm sure that, in the creative process, artists try to establish a flow through their concepts. However, they cannot always manage to capture an atmosphere that is in harmony with that flow. The third studio album by Terrestrial Hospice, a band that has caught my attention considerably for some time now, achieves this so well that you inevitably find yourself living and thinking within that atmosphere. From the very first track, the album gives you a very clear sense of, "You don't have to listen to me, but look, you're missing out on a lot!"
I had the chance to get an early listen to the album, which has so far seen only three singles released and will be released in full to listeners on September 11, by personally obtaining it from the band's label, Edged Circle Productions, at the Beyond the Gates festival in Bergen. Since I listened to the record on vinyl, I believe I had a better chance to assess its musicianship, and of course, I won't keep these thoughts to myself. First of all, I'd like to say a little about the band as an introduction for those unfamiliar with them, because they actually have a lineup that is far from unfamiliar to black metal fans. Formed in 2018, the Polish band's founding members are Inferno on drums and Skyggen on vocals, bass, and guitar. The synergy between these two experienced musicians, whose credentials in black metal are beyond question, is truly impressive. The 2024 album Rübezahl, which introduced me to the band, is, in my opinion, one of the high points of this partnership. I definitely recommend checking out that album if you want to get to know the band better.
Returning to Omnicide Chapter 1, the album's concept unfolds on a nihilistic foundation built around the themes of "waning faith in humanity, decay, and absolute destruction for the sake of rebirth," which are generally present throughout the band's entire body of work. Their lyrical prowess in this regard makes a major contribution to the album's atmosphere. With their poetic and profound narrative power, the lyrics seem to whisper in your ear that you are not listening to an ordinary album. I strongly recommend reading the lyrics and approaching the album from this perspective. The lyrics to the closing track, The Gospel of Obedience, in particular, seem to possess an excellent lyrical structure that, I think, sums up the album's concept in a single song.
There is no doubt that the album features experienced and highly capable musicians. Of course, we know that even very good musicians cannot always deliver every project to the expected standard or with the expected impact. Terrestrial Hospice, however, completely dispels those concerns. Inferno's blast beats, which never sacrifice either technique or speed, are among the album's most prominent details, while the guitar tone and variety of the riffs offer genuine listening pleasure for devotees of the genre. Their success in creating atmosphere is further enhanced by the depth and care invested in the musicianship. Every song has its own distinctive character, yet they also possess a flawless sense of cohesion. The album succeeds in drawing you in without ever breaking its flow, and thanks to these differences, it never becomes tedious.
At this point, I would like to take a closer look at the songs. The album's opening track and first single, Phosphoric Salvation, provides a perfect welcome with its melodic introduction and relentless momentum. Here, I also want to draw attention to Skyggen's ferocious yet equally clear vocals, which I haven't mentioned yet; they are truly excellent. I simply cannot pass without mentioning how the melodic transition at the end of the song completely blew me away. The following tracks, The Couloir of Despair and Call of the Void, further heighten your curiosity about what the rest of the album has in store, both through their melodic structures and technical details. Another one of my favorites, and the final single released from the album, Serpents in the Grass, is quite surprising with its guitar solo and melodic dynamism.
The second half of the album is genuinely even better than the first. I've said this about albums before, and I added the following: "If the second half of an album is better, that album is close to perfection." Menace, the opening track of the second half, is every bit as threatening as its name suggests, and it's a damn good song. Then comes Depraver, released as the album's second single, which is one of those tracks where Inferno says, "I'm here"; you'll understand exactly what I mean when you listen to it. And then we come to Drowning Spirit, surprisingly my favorite track on the album. This melancholic song, which had me falling in love with it from its very name alone, is one you should definitely add to your playlists when the album is released. The closing track, The Gospel of Obedience, is extremely impressive, particularly with the rain effect and piano part in its introduction, and I can say that it is a perfect final song in every sense.
In light of everything I've said, I can confidently say that this record is absolutely at a level where I will be including it on my "albums of the year" list. In this life where everything has decayed and become meaningless, Terrestrial Hospice invites us all to join the end of the world with this album. I think you should accept the invitation!
Stay metal!
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