TEITAN is a black metal band from Dutch musician Devi, who formed the project in 2007.  'In Oculus Abyss' is the second full length album; a demo and an EP have also been released.  'In Oculus Abyss' is definitely an avant-garde experience, very experimental. With that being said, it is still definitely firmly in the black metal pantheon. All the hallmarks of black metal are contained within, mixed in alongside the ebb and flow of craziness. Listening to this album is a trip to another dimension and a total mindfuck but it is also searing, violent, and extreme.  From my understanding, the songs are based on concepts of existentialism.  Boiled down to the basics, existentialism is the belief that each person is responsible for his or her purpose and meaning.  I would say that Devi definitely takes this to heart with his music as this is an album that follows its own path without a doubt.

Electronic and classical elements help add in both a regal and otherworldly atmosphere.  These elements add in twists and turns to every nook and cranny.  What really stands out to me about the album is that, even with all the different perspectives it offers, the atmosphere still retains a moody and melancholic atmosphere, which are two things that I look for in my personal black metal tastes.  It definitely strives to jump the shark but it also has an incredible atmosphere.  The biggest problem is sometimes it is too out there and the songs can, at times, sound like two different songs playing at once. The album opens with 'Menstrual Blood and Pomegranate,' and the odd clean tones and sounds immediately mix with tumultuous drumming and raw guitar.  Spoken word/chants/blackened vocals come together to push the song forward as the music, an almost tribal-like quality, dances around the flames.  The song, and this is indicative of the album as a whole, doesn't stay in one place for long. As I travel deeper into the song, I am bombarded with more traditional black metal riffing and something resembling the skeleton of a more straightforward work.

'Murder Me," begins with clean tones as well but the keys are very different as it all seamlessly melds into heavy guitar and blackened shrieks.  The song presents itself as very hazy and mysterious-shadows that can be seen within the fog but what they are can't be understood just yet.  The last part of the song brings it to hyper speed and vicious tendencies before ending as ethereal as it began. 'The Die Is Cast,' is a more immediate approach, the song already in full force within seconds of its beginning. The vocals are more of a spoken word type approach than true screaming or growling but it works with the melancholic music that is so odd I can't tell if its keys or guitars making the notes.  Regardless, it sounds fantastic and I found this to be one of my favorite songs on the album.  The vocals are especially insane and their approach is appreciated, adding a layer of psychosis to the proceedings. The middle part of the song is surprisingly catchy with great clean vocals for what amounts to the chorus. The song remains pretty intense the rest of the way too.

The final track, 'Purple Void,' is one of the more out there tracks.  The whole song, for whatever reasons, made me feel exposed and uncomfortable.  As far as this album goes, I will chalk that up to being a good thing.  The first part of the song seems like a build up for the eventual psychotic break that happens in the later half. Ultimately, and to be totally honest, I don't think it works all the time-there are moments, such as the two instrumental tracks, where I just don't understand it.  As such, I don't see this being an album that I would listen to all the time as, for me, this requires a certain mindset to explore.  However, I did enjoy my time with it, as I did have many listens while preparing for my review.  In essence, this is a solid album that is as enjoyable as it is weird but it definitely isn't for everyone.