‘Sex Sex Sex (Ceremonia Daemonis Antichristi)’ is the 8th full length album of Italian Black Metal veterans Abhor and the 2nd full release on the reputable Iron Bonehead Productions label. The album art alone is striking, conjuring up images of vintage Satanic Panic, with perhaps a nod to occult rock band Coven.
Upon hitting play, I am greeted with a haunting and foreboding instrumental ‘The Curse of the Twins’ which opens the door into what is ultimately an audial journey through a black mass, compete with church organ, ritual samples and subliminal chanting. Keyboard laden compositions accompanied by mid paced, hypnotic guitar riffs, galloping drum work and Ulfhedhnir’s rabid, snarling vocals which occasionally morph into gutteral Death Metal growls while incanting Satanic verses.
What really stands out here though, is the way the Keys are used, seemingly sitting in the background and gradually finding their way to the forefront during the hooks and choruses. The songs themselves keep a good pace and are progressive enough musically to allow the listener to be drawn in by the trance-inducing riffs but not so much that it becomes overbearing. The album comes to a close with the ethereal instrumental ‘Violent Coven’ which brings to mind the ending credits of a Lucio Fulci film, fitting indeed.
To be clear, there are definitely musical comparisons to be made to fellow Italians Opera IX and Theatres Des Vampires but Abhor seem to do away with any of the faux-Satanic tropes and take more of a serious Levayan, Crowley-esque stance and it shows in the music. (Mr. Nielsen)
