![Phlegethon’s Majesty – Rugged Rifts Of Sighs And Moans [Compilation] phlegethon’s majesty – rugged rifts of sighs and moans [compilation]](https://www.vm-underground.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Phlegethons-Majesty-–-Rugged-Rifts-Of-Sighs-And-Moans-Compilation-cover.jpg)
Info
- Band(s): Phlegethon's Majesty
- Label(s): Medieval Prophecy Records
- Release Format(s): CD, Compilation
- Release Year: 2024
- Review Date: January 31, 2025
- Author(s): FelixS
Simultaneously with the release of the eagerly awaited debut album of Phlegethon’s Majesty, the band also releases a compilation CD with both of the band’s demos as well as their contribution to the split 7” EP with Gouffre. Of course, releasing this at this specific moment in time is a smart move, but it is especially a good thing that these stunning recordings are becoming available to a wider audience. While some of the label’s previously released demo collection has (also) been released on vinyl, this is, so far, a CD-only release, but it opens doors for people who were not able to pick up the demo tapes when they were originally released or are not into cassette tapes and vinyl. Whatever the case, ‘Rugged Rifts Of Sighs And Moans’ is a magnificent collection of some of the best Black Metal ever recording in Belgium.
We are presented with the music in chronological order, meaning that the ‘Downward Journey To Tartaros Domains’-demo from 2019 is up first. I was stunned when I first heard it a couple of years ago, and listening back to it now, it is amazing to note how much of its power and magic it still holds. It is a prime example of how much atmosphere and depth fairly simple, but heartfelt music can capture. There is no break-neck speed, no thick layers of keyboards or guitars, no hefty production, instead the band is keeping things limited to the basic instruments with subtle touches of humming keyboards. Something that I thought was striking when I heard the band’s second demo tape was that it was quite a tad rawer compared to ‘Downward Journey To Tartaros Domains’. But other than a slightly rougher sound, ‘Condemned To Dwell In The Forbidden Chasm’ from 2021 is just a logical continuation of what the band started a few years prior. The keyboards still play a supportive role in establishing an atmosphere that started to lean a bit more distinctly to the early days of Greek Black Metal. But unlike many bands doing the same thing, Phlegethon’s Majesty, on these demo tapes, established themselves as a band with clear and obvious musical roots, but with an unmistakable own twist to these tried and tested formulas. The very same can be said about the closing track, the one that appeared on the split 7” EP with their fellow Belgians of Gouffre. That EP was released a year after their second demo, but this song could very well have been recorded during the same sessions as its sounds real closely related musically and in the sense of its production. A bit more detailed review of the split 7” EP is to be found elsewhere on these pages.
So, although ‘Rugged Rifts Of Sighs And Moans’ doesn’t bring anything new, it is a perfect (and complete) collection of what Phlegethon’s Majesty did before releasing ‘Bygone Atonements’, their debut album. Because of the chronological order, you can hear the band’s progression and follow their musical intentions and if you’ll go on to also listen to ‘Bygone Atonements’, you’ll hear how everything falls into place and comes to blossom.
Medieval Prophecy Records
- Country: Belgium
- Style: Black Metal
- Links: Youtube