NECROS CHRISTOS - Grave Damnation (Demo)

Formed in Berlin in 2001 by multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Mors Dalos Ra, Necros Christos is blackened death metal in the finest tradition as exemplified by Treblinka/early Tiamat, Acheron and Göetia-era Mystifier. Heavily influenced by occult rituals, each track is prefaced by a numbered "Temple" which are spoken invocations or ethereal keyboard pieces. Last year's "Triune Impurity Rites" was an underground metal sensation-- and perhaps the best release of any genre, so I felt the need to investigate this 2004 demo.

Suffice to say if you enjoyed the grim, oppressive atmosphere of "Rites", you will again throw the horns against your will upon hearing "Grave Damnation". A drum machine is present throughout, but it does little to take away from the doomy riffage and creepily near-whispered vox. The "Temples" are again featured, often sounding like the pseudo-horror flick passages Italian Prog-Rockers Jacula were infamous for (or mebbe Goblin's "Suspiria" OST). "Christ Was Not of Goatborn Blood" evokes an ambience as blasphemous as its title with claustrophobia-inducing guitar-work & Ra's reptilian croak. Also welcome is a cover of Thee Immortal Goatlord's "Acid Orgy"-- a fairly faithful rendition that also provides a decent touchstone for the Necros Christos sound.

This thing was limited to 1000 copies, originally released on Iron Fist Kommando Records.

Look in the comments!