![Nocturnal Deviancy / Chasmic Filth – Abysmal Descent [Split] nocturnal deviancy / chasmic filth – abysmal descent [split]](https://www.vm-underground.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Nocturnal-Deviancy-Chasmic-Filth-–-Abysmal-Descent-Split-cover.jpg)
Info
- Band(s): Chasmic Filth, Nocturnal Deviancy
- Label(s): Ancient Horror Records
- Release Format(s): Cassette, Split
- Release Year: 2024
- Review Date: January 29, 2025
- Author(s): FelixS
Although this split was already digitally released in Spring of this same year, it took until last summer for a physical edition to surface. And although in the meantime Nocturnal Deviancy has already presented its debut album, the cassette tape release of this split is still very much worth your attention as well. Both American one-man Black Metal bands have many tricks up their sleeves to keep the connoisseur of enticing riff-based Black Metal on their toes.
Although, it’s not really that many tricks at all. In fact, it’s even just one trick, but both bands have got that down very well. Opener is Nocturnal Deviancy, the brainchild of Vollmond also in Flagellant and the great Feeble Deity. With a razor-sharp and ice-cold sound, he cuts his part of the split and treats us to unadulterated 90’s Black Metal in which melody and atmosphere are the main determinants of the result. Musically, it is not even that far removed from Feeble Deity, but Nocturnal Deviancy sounds a bit more straightforward with a less subdued atmosphere. The brighter sound complements the fierce riffs and gives more room for dynamics. Subsequently, in the mix of all these sonic ingredients, Vollmond’s musical signature flourishes, proving his song crafting skills is to be reckoned with.
The other half of the split is Chasmic Filth’s, another one-man band that didn’t reach these pages yet. But although Dismal, the man behind the band, had already released two demos before this split saw the light of day, both of those previous demos were all put out at the very beginning of 2024. Both of those demos have only been released digitally, making the two tracks on this split tape the first physically available tracks of Chasmic Filth. But it is very well deserved, as they are definitely worth hearing. Both Chasmic Filth and Nocturnal Deviancy are close to each other stylistically as well as aesthetically. The main differences can be found in a less clear sound for Chasmic Filth as well as a slightly less melodic character of the music. But the great common denominator in this story is again in the heavy reliance on “the riff”, which again is the main determinant of the atmosphere and overall experience of the music. Just like his split-partner, Dismal proves to be an excellent song writer with a good sense for atmosphere and song writing.