SCARIFICARE is a band from Oporto, Portugal formed in late 2006 by Crusher (vocalist/bass), Quetzalcoatl (guitars), and Sothis (drums). From their Facebook page, "the main purpose of the band is to make extreme metal music inspired in all cosmic forces, in the knowledge of ancient religions and therefore in ourselves." Calling themselves "Gnostic Black Metal," "Tilasm" is the band's third full-length offering, with seven lengthy tracks. "Crystal Skull" leads off the album, with a riff reminiscent of the early days of MEGADETH. It settles quickly into a Black Metal groove, with hasty guitars and drums, and commanding vocals. "Wandering Soul" is a near-nine minute beast. Fuzzy guitars and muted production provide the backdrop for a doleful sound, with lamenting clean vocals, and fearless Black Metal vocals. The also manage to work in some Thrash Metal elements into a diverse song that is both thoughtful and cohesive.

"Occult Radiance" is a shorter song with a little more fury. The combination of clean and harsh vocals work well with the ambiance than runs throughout. The band is skilled at shifting along the way as well, keeping the sound ever-changing so it stays fresh. "The Quest...for a Lost Idol" features some nifty bass guitar work that you might not catch if you aren't honing in on its line. The journey here is marked by both despair and anger. "Regression" has a groovy riff marked with complementary bass lines and harrowing vocals. The low clean vocal chants really add an element of darkness to an already depressing sound. "Consecration of the Talisman" opens with clear guitar notes that quickly lead to Black Metal fervor. Abundant riffs mark different passages as the song moves at a fast pace. Chasing darkness, you are forever caught in the void.

"Rise" is the eight-minute closer. It starts of aggressively but also features some more pensive work that registers high with emotion. It ends the album in purgatory, leaving the listener to wander eternally. Overall, I really like the diversity of sound that SCARIFICARE present on their third full-length "Tilasm." It's an amalgam of a few genres, but always forward thinking in the compositions, never content to rest on re-hashing what someone else has done in the past. Give this album some attention for sure.