INGIS HAERETICUM draws listeners into their latest aural ritual with "Autocognition of Light". Fr. M.H. DCXVI states that the band is a channel for something bigger than themselves. Black metal that carries elements of the old and the new is the conduit for this larger entity.

I find it hard to pick favourites on this album - as an explanation, I turn to the band's own words: "It's a work conceived and written as an entire piece instead of just a bunch of songs". Each part serves the whole, and there's nothing superfluous here. "Glorious Wounds" is an immensely powerful opener, and perhaps one of the strongest initial tracks I've heard on a black metal album. The droning guitar notes fade in like some slithering creature. The bass guitar is thunderous, and add gravitas to the swirling layers of guitar riffs. The slower pace of the vocals makes for an effective contrast, and give the impression of a slowly encroaching entity. The track makes effective use of contrasts between quiet and lively sections, and creates an effective build in the coda with clever drum fills and supple riffs. The abrupt ending works, and makes for an emphatic close.

"Mors Mystica" opens with powerful bass notes and blast beats, which contrast with the ringing guitar notes. The vocals are chilling in the best possible way, and the tone of the harmonized riffs adds an off-kilter feel without sounding like they're straining for a dissonant feel. The quite interlude has engaging drum fills, and the ringing riffs lend a sense that a path has been set for a journey of sorts, whatever that path may be. The fade-out in the coda creates a feeling of blending into something beyond oneself.

"Autocognition of Light" is a suitably grand closer. Swirling riffs and furious blast beats lead into the track, with the slower vocals making for an effective contrast. The high notes of the counter-melodies add tension when added to the fast rhythm riffs. Tom fills lead smoothly into the next phase of the song, and the energy increases with powerful blast beats and sinister ringing riffs. Rapid high notes contrast with droning lower riffs, and create a feeling of some big event about to happen. A surprising surge of blast beats adds interest, and the guitar riffs are moving. Tensions increase in the coda, with powerful cymbal notes adding emphasis. The reverb in the vocals adds to the feeling of an impending big event, and the abruptness of the ending works here too, thus ending the album on a strong note.

Even as a layperson when it comes to IGNIS HAERETICUM's spiritual inspirations, the sincerity behind the project was very clear to me, and I couldn't help but feel caught up in this music-facilitated journey. The extent to which the band has created a coherent musical narrative is one of the most impressive points of "Autocognition of Light".