Peccatum – Strangling From Within – Review

Peccatum

Strangling From Within (Candlelight)
by Scott Hefflon

There has long been a connection between classical music and metal. Where Ynwgie, Dream Theater, and Fates Warning focused on the prog metal and frilly-shirted side, black metal focused on the darker, almost Gothic side. And with post-metal projects like Therion combining opera, classical, and aggressive music, it was only a matter of time before various intellectuals in black metal understood the limitations of the genre they helped create and expand. And thus we have Peccatum. Formed by Ihriel (a poet, a visionary, and a classically-trained vocalist), her husband Ihsahn (notorious for his vocals, guitar, and bass work in Emperor, perhaps the most progressive black metal band of all), and Ihriel’s brother Lord PZ (classically-trained vocalist and drummer of Source of Tide), Peccatum is a collaboration of creative elements, not a side-project or one-off, but a band in which all members contribute their ideas as well as their musicianship.

The end result could be called art metal, but seeing as that’d bring up imagery of prog (for me, at least), I prefer calling it dark, atmospheric exploration. There are still strong ties to metal, as “The Change” displays (think straight-ahead snakespit Emperor of yore), yet there are also quiet walks littered with dreadful obstacles (much like the work of ex-Emperor bassist, Mortiis, but without the Nintendo-sounding keyboards, more dynamics and drama, and generally “going somewhere”). Fans of “powerful, creepy music” will enjoy the strong, passionate male voices, the angel/demoness duality, the throaty gurgles, demon roars, the King Diamondish harmonized shrieks, the overall chaos, madness, and eventual melodic soaring of resolution. Beautiful, frightening, yet ultimately uplifting,Strangling from Within is the creation of three dark and creative minds. Definitely worthy of your attention.
(DEI: PO Box 738 Syosset, NY 1179)