
Info
- Band(s): Phlegethon's Majesty
- Label(s): Medieval Prophecy Records
- Release Format(s): 12" vinyl, CD
- Release Year: 2024
- Review Date: January 31, 2025
- Author(s): FelixS
This first full-length album of Phlegethon’s Majesty is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated Black Metal records out of the amazingly fertile Belgian soil. Through their two splendid demos (simultaneously with this debut reissued together on CD) and their split 7” EP with the equally intriguing Gouffre the band established themselves as one of their home country’s most promising bands. That Belgian scene is one to keep a close eye on anyway, in recent years there has been an explosion of extremely good bands that all draw their inspiration from a similar wellspring. That magical source consists mainly of late 80‘s and early 90’s Black Metal in which atmosphere is the defining factor; mystical Black Metal along the lines of Varathron, Barathrum, Mortuary Drape, Mystifier and Samael.
And to get straight to the point, on ‘Bygone Atonements’ the band does not disappoint in the least. On the contrary, on the earlier recordings, Phlegethon’s Majesty still sounded somewhat gritty, something that certainly brought its charm, but on this first full-length album, the very sharpest edges have been filed off in favour of a much more authentic sound that fits their musical identity well. For not only in terms of lyrics and conceptual content do they lean heavily on ancient Greek culture, but also musically, there is more than a little bit of borrowing going on here.
Varathron is without doubt the clear big inspiration for these Belgians. Not only in the sense that they seek a similar mystical and obscure sound, but also vocally it is close to the characteristic barking of Varathron’s Stefan Necroabyssious. Perhaps the melodies are slightly less specifically Greek, but the all-important atmosphere leaves little to be guessed at. The stunning dynamics too, from slow, almost Doom-like passages to the faster and delightfully lumbering tempos… it all fits well within the keyboard-framed musical aesthetic. A near-perfect piece of Greek Black Metal, but from Belgium.
In just over half an hour, the band treats us to an album that will undoubtedly go down in the books as one of the best Black Metal records of 2024. This is a record you really shouldn’t miss as a self-respecting fan of ancient, obscure and mystical Black Metal.
Medieval Prophecy Records
- Country: Belgium
- Style: Black Metal
- Links: Youtube