Spectral Wound: A Diabolic Thirst Album Review!
Spectral Wound Music Review:
Behold Quebec Canada, a definitive haven for all things metal in Canada, quite possibly the mecca and producer of the majority of the countries death metal bands with Ontario and Alberta following. I think back to when I discovered Sherbrookes almighty Gorguts back in the ’90s on Roadrunner Records.
The list of others followed such as more obscure bands like Necrotic Mutation and then other heavy hitters like Cryptopsy, Kataklysm, and stuff like Quo Vadis, Ex Deo, Necrotic Gorebeast, and Beyond Creation plus many more.
As far as black metal goes Blasphemy might be the most prolific black/war metal band to emerge along with say Revenge, Axis Of Advance, and Sacramentary Abolishment, the bands I’ve heard of anyways.
Spectral Wound are the new breed and I believe they are making a significant contribution to the Canadian metal scene and gaining attention outside the country as well. They are indistinguishable to a lot of the European black metal bands style wise and in this case I believe its not a bad thing by keeping traditional black metal roots but still keeping it fresh.
What sets Spectral Wound apart is their use of good production values. The band create a wall of sonic torment so vast and powerful sounding it conflicts with that popular lo fi sound which was made famous by Burzum and constantly emulated by others. When Vikeness was interviewed he talked about how he got all the most sub par equipment he could find to make his music. Everything on A Diabolic Thirst sounds big and powerful but still gives you those goosebumps with that sheer aggression, precision and raw sound associated with the best of the genre.
6 tracks encompass A Diabolic Thirst, my favorites being Frigid And Spellbound and Soul Destroying Debauchery, I also enjoy the 9 minute plus opus Mausoleal Drift. These guys just hit the mark on everything here, brilliant song titles, foreboding sinister atmosphere, snarling signature vocals and those gutair melodies reign down on you like a napalm strike.
Proud to say drummer/songwriter Jordan Kelly is originally from Marystown, Newfoundland Canada currently residing in Montreal, Quebec. Marystown is a community with a population of roughly 5000 about a half an hour from my birthplace Grand Bank, a small town with a population roughly over 2000 people. It was cool to see black metal has some roots outside the Avalon Penninsula in rural Newfoundland of all places.
Kelly also has a couple projects you might want to check out such as Grole. A one man black metal project which oozes all things loyal to the island of Newfoundland including an intro featuring the classic tune Saltwater Joys. Available here: https://youtu.be/Nz-OX5NzcFg
Profane Order are another project from Kelly which boasts a dirtier and more unpolished approach to black metal/war metal.
A Diabolic Thirst comes highly recommended for fans of true black metal, it has enough raw power to evoke emotion in the most seasoned fan and it appeals to those just getting into the genre with its modern production. Support Canadian black metal!!!!
Album Info:
Band: Spectral Wound
Album: A Diabolic Thirst
Members: Jordan Kelly (drums), Patrick McDowall (Guitars), Jonah Campbell (vocals), Sean Zumbusch (guitars), Samuel Arseneau-Roy (bass, vocals)
Mastered: Arthur Rizk
Recorded: Patrick McDowall, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Year: 2021
Country: Canada
Runtime: 40min 15sec
Label: Profound Lore Records
Track Listing:
01. Imperial Saison Noire
02. Frigid and Spellbound
03. Soul Destroying Black Debauchery
04. Mausoleal Drift
05. Fair Lucifer, Sad Relic
0.6 Diabolic Immanence
