Blackened Death Metal is a subgenre that has thoroughly infiltrated the underground scene throughout the first few years of this new century.  Bands like BELPHEGOR and of course, BEHEMOTH, have refined the style into one ready for mass consumption.  In effect, the subgenre can be looked upon as a gateway drug of sorts for new listeners.  A Metal fan discovering BELPHEGOR's blend of Second Wave Black Metal and MORBID ANGEL-inspired Death Metal and raving more may be inclined to search deeper in turn discovering masters like DISSECTION, WATAIN, and EMPEROR.  DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS perform the style and have been hard at it since forming in Opole, Poland in the year 2000.  After recently signing with Non Serviam Records, the band is prepared to release their latest offering, "Postmortem Whispering Crows," a three-song EP, on September 13, 2019.  This is the band's second EP after previously releasing four full-lengths and a demo.

The music contained within "Postmortem Whispering Crows" is sure to please long-time fans for there is no departure from their signature formula but rather a solid release that builds upon the past.  Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of this release is the outstanding production.  The bass drum attack is fierce with resplendent swishes of cymbal hits while the low end is firmly locked in via the bass which occasionally offers some adventurous flourishes in and around the melody.  Vocally, there is a devoted maintenance of evil drawl and sinister outbursts that colorfully decorate the songs presented.  it is the guitar work, however, that really stands out here.  The tone toes the line between a husky Death Metal girth and a more trebly, darker Black Metal style.  When alternating between dissonant passages and more chunky rhythmic sections, there is no loss of fullness but instead, the guitar brilliantly and boldly leads the way through the dark journey.  Riff selection is what helps the songs truly stand out and there is a broad understanding of the importance of both rhythm via standout palm-muting and melody via solos that are so musical one could hum along.

The EP opens with a mid-paced affair via "Dvma".  By gently creeping in, the mood is gloriously set.  The leads are lush, gorgeous affairs with superb melodic taste.  One is immediately taken by just how big the sound is.  The true highlight, however, of the album is the last track, "Interregnvm".  A much more rebellious, raging track, it features some of the finest moments of bass playing with ear-pleasing fills that really pop.  On display as well is a down-tuned selection of riffs that properly set the atmosphere with minor-key passages subtly coloring the mood.  The band firmly stamp their seal upon the recording with this exposition of major versus minor, melodic versus dissonant, and ultimately, light versus dark duality.

Their almost twenty years of experience clearly shows with this EP.  Within, one will find a decadently-pleasing compendium of three songs.  One cannot help but be left wanting more after repeatedly listening to "Postmorten Whispering Crows," which is precisely what DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS are after.  Hopefully, this is a preview of what is to come from one of Poland's most striking outfits.