The black metal band Teufelsdom, from Saint Petersburg, Russia, released their second album, Teufelsdom II, last March. I've been following this band for a few months now, and I enjoyed their first album, also titled Teufelsdom, which I reviewed earlier this year. This new release is available in digital and CD from Fallen-Angels Productions, and on cassette from Primitive Devil Worship in a limited edition.
Teufelsdom presents a second album rooted in early black metal.: raw, dissonant sound. The tracks are disturbing; I’d particularly highlight the track Нестройный звон колоколов (Discordant Toll Of Bells) from 3:15 onwards, as well as Знание пустоты (The Knowledge Of The Void). The guitars launch into a hypnotic, repetitive rhythm, at times more atmospheric, whilst the drums are more dynamic than on the first album. They stand out with some excellent blast beats on tracks such as Знание пустоты (The Knowledge Of The Void) and Помрачился и лишился (Darkened and Deprived).
Some passages of the album are higher-pitched and sharper than others, giving it a slightly nuanced structure. The atmosphere is generally mournful, true to the aesthetic of the second wave of black metal. This atmosphere is particularly evident on the tracks Сумеречная юдоль (Crepuscular Vale) and Помрачился и лишился (Darkened and Deprived), which immediately reminded me of Darkthrone. I also think the few touches of keyboards add an new dimension to the band’s sound.
The vocals are cavernous, growling and aggressive, with an almost ceremonial feel. They are characterised by powerful screams, as heard on Сумеречная юдоль (Crepuscular Vale) from 2:42 onwards. I find the vocal performance more interesting on tracks such as Могильная земля (Sepulchral Soil) and Помрачился и лишился (Darkened and Deprived). As for the production, it remains raw without being entirely so: it retains a certain aesthetic whilst making the music more accessible.
One of the moments I particularly enjoyed was the atmosphere in Фолиант отвращения (Tome Of Abomination) from 3:23 onwards. I also liked the songwriting on Знание пустоты (The Knowledge Of The Void) from 3:22 onwards. I really liked Помрачился и лишился (Darkened and Deprived) for its relentless, unrelenting rhythm, as well as Могильная земля (Sepulchral Soil) for its dark intro.
So, in a few words, I think Teufelsdom II is a good, well-crafted album. It’s fairly second wave black metal, drawing direct inspiration from the second wave, with a constant, hypnotic rhythm. The atmosphere is gloomy and supported by growling vocals. I wouldn’t say it’s bad, but I would have liked to hear higher-pitched, more terrifying screams, in keeping with the musical aesthetic. That having been said, I congratulate the band on this album.
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