I may be physically living in the United States, but when it comes to my favorite genre of Metal, Poland is my home sweet home. And BEHEMOTH, VADER, and DECAPITATED are my neighborhood brutal brothers. DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS has now also moved in to that special part of me that lives in Poland's blackened Death Metal scene with the release of their third studio album "Simulacra".

Whenever a band describes with the phrase "avant-garde", I always prepare myself for an element of weirdness. But when listening to this album, this term takes on a whole new life with its successful presentation of majestic orchestration in spectacular numbers like "Icaros" and "Spiritual Blackout" that could suddenly transition into "Fear No Gods!," showcasing the no-bullshit brutality that all Black Metal minions crave. Not to mention this album features guest musicians Jacek Grecki of LOST SOUL and my absolute favorite Polish musician Orion from the ever brilliant BEHEMOTH.

Because of the grand fusion of orchestra and metal that this album contains, it might be easy to compare this album to DIMMU BORGIR's "Death Cult Armaggedon".  But what this album contains that DCA did not was a more intense emphasis on intricate guitar work. My favorite tune was  "Vi Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici" for this very reason; just wait until the halfway point for the melodic and memorable solo that will perk up your ears in sheer wonder. Also, this just happens to be the most amusing and tongue-twisting song title I've ever seen.

For the lover of all things brutal and unorthodox, DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS is sure to make a lasting impression with its grand assembly of swelling orchestral numbers, brutal black metal elements, and out-of-the-ordinary elaborate guitar work. Think of the marriage of the melodies of Vesania and the vocals of IMMORTAL. Now there's no way you'll be able to resist giving this album a listen!