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| #FOR FANS OF: Symph Black |
The USA-based duo Deogen is one of those projects that clearly refuse to sound contemporary and prefer to show an unbreakable loyalty to black metal’s golden era. This band’s debut effort, entitled ‘The Endless Black Shadows of Abyss’, was a clear manifesto of this devotion and an impressive first album, where rawness and atmosphere reached an excellent balance.
Five years later, Deogen is back with the sophomore album entitled ‘The Graves and Ghost of Yore,’ released by the always reliable label Iron Bonehead Productions. The second album is always a crucial moment, which can confirm the potential seen in the debut album or make a band just a one-off project. In contrast to the first opus, this one features a somewhat more abstract art style. Fortunately, fans have no reason to fear, as it is still a painting that fits the music. Musically, the album will satisfy all who enjoyed the debut opus. There are some changes, as naturally happens from one album to another, but the essence is still there. Production-wise, the sound is still raw, but the guitars have a slightly less fuzzy tone, resulting in a cleaner sound. I personally consider that this modification makes the overall balance better, and the whole package sounds more cohesive. Therefore, the listener can enjoy the music more satisfactorily.
Musically, Deogen masterfully mixes classic raw black metal with very enjoyable keyboard work. This mixture irremediably reminds me of classic outputs from the '90s, where bands used to introduce some atmospheric and symphonic elements without the sometimes excessive nature of some big modern productions. Unfortunately, in some of those albums, these arrangements can relegate the guitars and the rhythmic base to a secondary role. This is not the case with ‘The Graves and Ghost of Yore,’ where both elements coexist with great results. "Clawing Into Sphere and Sun" is a clear example of this. This track is one of the richest in terms of keyboard use, but in a good way. The rawness of the guitars and Maelström’s high-pitched vocals still command the composition, as the very present keys enhance the majesty of this song, making it sound powerful and high-toned at the same time. Deogen mixes tracks where this combination can tend more to one side or the other but always keeps the balance right. For example, the album opener "By Torchlight" is a more straightforward composition, although it still contains some key touches that make it sound coherent with the rest of the album. Pace-wise, the album generally has quite a fast tempo, combining really speedy sections with some other vivid parts, but always trying to add some little variation. The galloping track "Cataclysm And Deluge" is one of those compositions that will make the listener headbang actively in the less speedy, but still fast sections. Another successful example of well-structured pace is the great track entitled "Desolation Bestowed," where Deogen aptly combines one of the few slower sections with a powerful, relentless one.
'The Graves and Ghost of Yore' is undoubtedly a remarkably solid step in Deogen’s career. This second effort refines what we heard in the debut album, improving some areas while maintaining the core sound and particular atmosphere that make Deogen a very interesting choice for fans of '90s black metal. (Alain González Artola)
(Iron Bonehead Productions - 2025)
Score: 82