So, what do you get when you take Cradle of Filth via their ‘Cruelty and the Beast’ era, strip away the excess grandeur and pompous atmosphere, and then dial up the intensity by about a factor of ten? You will get Blood Countess and their latest ‘Imperatrix Sanguinis’. If you are familiar with the band and their beginnings in 2018 they hail from the UK as well. Since their inception, have maintained a lyrical theme based on Elisabeth Bathory. Some may balk at what is perhaps an overused lyrical topic, but you will appreciate the band’s take on the subject. It leans a bit darker and is not as overtly erotic as Cradle of Filth did.
Two things tho will get your attention immediately. First off, we have some truly venomous and outright old school material presented here. Buzzsaw riffs, pummeling drums, and vocals truly from the pits of hell. What we have before us is Black Metal that is true to the spirit of the 2nd wave and bringing it to the masses of today. Vocalist “The Cuntess” also does time in Eastern Front amongst others, but she truly goes full force here. Her vocals have moments of Dani Filth, but she does not go for strictly being a copycat despite the material or expectations. I feel she is the main draw here. An underlying evil, plus a delivery of anger and emotion, are part of her delivery.
If I have to bring up a negative is that at times you may mistake the music for being Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult….but is that necessarily a bad thing? You will also appreciate the ferocity in the songwriting dept. and also the general presentation of what you are about to delve into. You can expect a bit of early Cradle of Filth, a smattering of Dark Funeral and the aforementioned Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult but if you listen closely, how about Dissection as well? Now I know some can argue that throwing comparisons of Mr.Nödtveidt and his material is hallowed ground and not to throw the comparisons at a whim. You will hear a smattering of melodies and phrasings scattered through the 7 tracks (and one ambient instrumental) Nothing that is overdone but we all know that which made Dissection such a pillar in the metal world.
I will also state that the production has taken a step up as well. Now I know there is that crowd that looks for that more garage band lo-fi approach, and that was a bit prevalent on their debut, but here the band has stepped up their game. On their debut, things were a tad compressed sounding in the overall sonic quality. Here tho on the latest, a much warmer and distinctive presentation is afforded us. It would do you well to take a look into the band.
