Long-running Italian occult rock black metallers, PROFEZIA, make their highly anticipated return with "Dodekaprofeton", their landmark 3rd album! A veritable line-up of "who's-who" in the Italian Metal scene, PROFEZIA features such luminaries as Kvasir (ABHOR, MOURNING MIST), Domine Saevum Graven (ABHOR, ex-SOPHUS, ex-ORACULUM), Ynleborgaz (ANGANTYR, MAKE A CHANGE... KILL YOURSELF) and Marco De Rosa (OPERA IX, THE TRUE ENDLESS, SKOLL, DARKNESS) here giving his final vocal performance Anno Domini! Thealbum also features a plethora of session performers including Ravenlord (WOODS OF INFINITY), Nequam (MORTUARY DRAPE) and Leonardo Lonnerbach among other luminaries. Breaking all preconceptions and norms of what "Black Metal" IS, PROFEZIA returns with an Epic - Awe-inspiring new opus more in common with Italian Dark-wave and Neo-Opera than Metal proper! Sorrowful frenzied gusts of violin melodies accompany harmonic, yet harsh atmospheric Black Metal, creating a melancholic mood that undeniably entrances all listeners! Anti-theistic lyrics are taken straight from the old testament to defy our modern era! The harmonious use of modern and classical instruments is bolstered only by vigilant song writing, making PROFEZIA an excellent study in the ways of classic Italian Black Metal. The new soundtrack for the Italian Nation, or the culmination of 23+ years of Italian Occult Metal mastery - "Dodekaprofeton" achieves both!

"Malachi" is a masterpiece in modern day Black Metal bands. Taking us back to the 2^nd Generation, with a few modern twists, like the operatic vocals and violins in the background. The song concentrates on balancing the melodies from the instruments, which are neither purely heavy nor pure symphonic, and the darkened vocals, which delves into pure darkness in depths that change throughout. The song is similar to a few more modern ideas, where keyboards are used to add depth and atmosphere, for me, this takes away some of the magic and darkness.

"Amos" is more intense from the off, the darkened vocals are matched by the tempo and overall balance in the song. There are a few deathgrowls, which we have heard from many Black Metal bands. The instruments try to take a DISSECTION approach but again there is too much light peering through, the violins add an upbeat symphonic approach, which takes the darkness away. The approach for the vocals never changes, which is good, but the song is hard to work out what the overall approach is.

"Obadiah" shows the band is going for the same approach throughout. Once more the violins let the song down, its hard to listen to the attempts, it feels like its trying to add ambience, but its nowhere near dark enough. The guitar is the same as "Amos", the songs are hard to separate. The violins are that fast that you expect a jig to start. Not enough attention goes into the other instruments.<