When I saw the words DEATHSPELL OMEGA rings bell in my mind as I have noticed them long ago but never had the time to check them thoroughly. So now that I saw this EP in front of me I grabbed the chance. For those that do not know DEATHSPELL OMEGA is a French Black Metal band and a very special case indeed. A very weird case about this band is that it is covered under a veil of mysticism as the members of the band remain a question, their lives are very rare if any and there is no official Facebook page, site etc (unless I am missing something).They define themselves as "Orthodox Satanists" and separate from the majority of black metal bands as what they seek and represent is a mental form of black divinity which is the only true form of their belief. So, their belief and faith is the motive behind their musical creations and as such lyrics, music and cover bind all in one and solid element.

"Drought" has six songs two of which are instrumental which open and close the record. The atmosphere is so bleak and suffocating you can actually see and feel the drought in front of your eyes. As doom as it can gets, and filled with twisted and wicked harmonies "Salowe Vision" leads to "Fiery Serpents" and from the first three lines of lyrics everything is revealed. "I had a salowe vision wherein were fiery serpents and scorpions and drought ...sand, in an abrasive swirling murk, covered the crackled book of life... ". As simple as it can gets this sentence includes all the names of the songs. Brilliant and straight to the point. The music of course changes in this one and the band is attacking in full force with intense riffing and blast beats. On "Scorpions And Drought" the black onslaught is continued and the feeling of solitude, bitterness and evil is even stronger. "Sand" is a short simply structured song with a few lines as lyrics of slow tempo. "Abrasive Swirling Murk" is the last real song of the EP and without realizing it is almost the end. DEATHSPELL OMEGA unleashes its final dark assault and again it is pure chaos with blast beats, constant changes and riffs full of disharmonies. "The Crackled Book of Life" is the final act of this compact testimony of Black Metal. The speeds are reduced again and the atmosphere is commanding and bleak. Some muffled chants in the distance and a final majestic riff close the curtain of this little black gem.

I always thought that somehow EPs if presented properly have all the qualifications to tell musically a story in a compact and complete manner, way better than a full album though I never expected to say this for such kind of metal. But indeed "Drought" is the perfect example. Everything is connected, everything has a purpose and there is nothing redundant or flawed. If you are expecting to find here the traditional 4 channel sound and guitars sounding like a potato fryer with 1 year old raw oil you are looking in the wrong place. The production is polished and everything is heard clear and at proper levels. The band shows a very complex musicianship that I could consider way too progressive for this kind of Metal. They are not afraid to do experiments with various ways of playing and to an open minded listener this can be really appreciated. And last but not least I am really impressed by the lyrics. If the music is evil and wicked the lyrics are sharp and ooze bitterness and darkness.

My final thoughts on this "Drought" album is that DEATHSPELL OMEGA is indeed a Black Metal band at its essence and as such this work can be considered the epitome of this kind. Obviously this is not some kind of music that anyone would listen at any hour and especially them are really targeting a very limited group of listeners (or believers). While me as a person have the belief that religions (in all forms) work as the wall behind which people hide to justify themselves or eventually these are very abstract concepts beyond our perception and have nothing to do with this earthly circus we witness each day, and as such the religious part of the record is pointless to me seeing this record from their point of view, understanding its purpose and above all evaluating the music I could not give nothing less than...