Genre: Death Metal
Length: 35:46
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Sodomic Baptism is a death metal band hailing from Belarus, formed in 2013. The band released their first EP, Black Fire Pandemonium, in 2014, followed by their debut album of the same name in 2017. This year, the band returns with their upcoming album Contra Christum, which will be released on 21st November (in a few days). The German label Fetzner Death Records will release a limited edition cassette version.
Contra Christum is an album consisting of nine tracks with a total running time of 35:46. It is a record that leans towards well-structured death metal, with little nuance but offering a technical direction in the different layers that make up each song. The songwriting evolves on heavy tempos, with a dominant bass, even if the guitars accelerate at times. The writing is inspired by old school death metal while displaying intense aggression, sometimes bordering on brutal death metal. There are also very dark and occult passages, reflecting the band's musical ideology (the rejection of blind faith in organised doctrines). The vocals oscillate between guttural and angry, very high-pitched and frightening.
From the very first track, Antipsalm. Purification Inthrough Antichrist, a morbid, malevolent and demonic soundscape takes hold, with rumblings that remind me of certain passages from the death/black metal band Belphegor, particularly on their album Lucifer Incestus. On Posthumous Rebirth, I enjoyed the rhythm from 1:30 onwards; then, from 2:44, the vocal performance becomes enraged, and at 3:10 a dark atmosphere sets in. At 3:55, a gloomy guitar solo adds an extra layer of morbidity to the track. On Bloody Redemption, a solo starting at 2:21 immediately captures the listener's attention, followed by samples that enrich the rhythm. LCF stands out with its dark and occult intro; within seconds, the tempo accelerates compared to the previous tracks. This track is a veritable avalanche, with a spectacular solo at 2:33.
The Witches Laughter offers a vocal performance that I really enjoyed, very powerful from the outset (it's one of my favourite tracks on the album, and it reminds me of the Dutch band Sinister). On Adepts of Chaos, from 1:46 onwards, a well-executed solo dominates the soundscape, and at 4:06, the composition creates a truly ‘evil’ atmosphere.
On Belial. The Path to Knowledge of the Abyss, starting at 1:18, I liked the way the vocals blend in at the beginning of the solo: a very successful arrangement. Resurrection Outhrough Renunciation of Grace adds a layer of anguish to the already malevolent atmosphere, with screams of torture, a bell and the sound of flames. This outro serves as an introduction to the next track, The Transcendence of Existence, which starts off in the same atmosphere. From 1:33 onwards, everything changes without warning: whispers and birdsong can be heard, followed by clear vocals (totally unexpected), then the initial rhythm returns with a vengeance at 2:17. This track explores doom metal terretory more than death metal.
Contra Christum offers structured and aggressive death metal, marked by dark and occult atmospheres. Each track explores its own nuances, between heaviness, technical passages and a few unexpected incursions. The album remains consistent in its approach while offering several memorable moments.
You can order your copy on Fetzner Death Records -Website or on the Bandcamp below