When it comes to bands coming from Australia, the same rule always applies: quality over quantity. Temple Nightside is one of the newest additions to the extreme metal scene down under. The band’s inception goes back to 2010, and since then the duo have released an EP, entitled Prophecies of Malevolence, and a split album with Canadian black/death overlords Antediluvian. And 2013 marks the year when Temple Nightside decide to summon all of their might and malice in order to spawn their debut full-length, Condemnation.
As to who is Temple Nightside: the band comprises of two members, Basilysk on drums, also of Backyard Mortuary, Rookwood and The Slow Death, and IV on vocals, guitars, bass and keyboards, also of Ill Omen, Perdition Oracle and previously of Funeral Mourning, Pestilential Shadows and Woods of Desolation. Oh! And I forgot to mention that both these guys are also part of Nazxul, one of the best black metal acts to be set loose upon this world. With such a resume, the anticipation for an album such Condemnation is definitely high, and these guys do not disappoint.
By combining the claustrophobic black metal ambiance and the eerie riffs of the old school black metal sound along with the groove and brutality of cryptic death metal, Temple Nightside go forth creating an all consuming void in Condemnation. An album so dark and despicable that it sucks away all color and all hope, leaving nothing else behind but despair.
The death metal necromancy that Temple Nightside is practicing reveals itself in various forms in the album. The interludes that the band is implementing in order to render this offering completely sick are terrifying, as is the case with the “Commune” tracks, with “Pillar of Ancient Death (Commune 2.1)” letting loose grains of noise that overwhelm the listener while the whistling sounds are building inescapable terrors that wander the band’s soundscapes. The effect of the second part of the “Commune” tracks, “Command of the Bones (Commune 2.2)” is quite similar, managing to create a deranged ambiance that paints perfectly the horrifying visions of the band.
But of course the strongest point of the band is their old-school brutality. Either if it comes in fast pace and aggressive parts or slow, torturing beating, Temple Nightside are completely in control of their revolting agenda. With the cool intro of the opening track, “Shrine of Summon (The Great Opposer)”, the band is suddenly unleashing all of their old-school malice, resulting in the total devastation of the listener’s psyche. They then let themselves become lost in the chaos of “Abhorrent They Fall…” with the guitars going mad while the manic drumming is making sure you cannot keep up with the tempo. And those vocals – fucking shit, it is as if they are coming from the depths of hell to haunt you. Aided by the old-school production, the band is able to harness the chthonic powers of occult black/death in a very effective manner.
But it is when they dive into their slower selves that Temple Nightside are dealing the most damage. “Exhumation; Miseries Upon Imprecation” sees the band taking on a towering sound, trying to slowly suffocate the very life out of you. It is as if the air is being sucked out of the room, with the majestic part that comes about three minutes in being too terrible to behold. And then there is of course “Ascension of Decaying Forms” with Temple Nightside taking their time to build this one, slowly introducing the different instruments and establishing their control over the tempo in a brutal manner. The song is retaining its soul crushing character, supported by the magnificent use of vocals, which sole purpose is to toy with your mind. It is one long, tormenting path to an impending doom that surprisingly is never delivered, making the song’s nature even more sadistic (if that’s possible).
And then there are those times when Temple Nightside decide to go completely mental. “Dagger of Necromantic Decay (Eater of Hearts)” is the obvious example, with the agonizing guitar unleashing some incomprehensible solos filled with insanity and pain. The vocals are leaving bloodied marks on your soul while the slow drumming is trying to make your heart skip a beat. The band picks up the pace and before you realize it, all their old school ferocity is assaulting you head on. And if you thought that all that was a bit cruel then you are in for some further malevolence. The closing track “Miasma” is the band’s true opus. Expanding for over nine minutes with the stench of decomposition drenching from the guitars and with a groove totally in sync with Temple Nightside’s blackened soul, it is the ultimate peak of the album. The unearthly vocals whispering to you the mystical secrets of necromancy and with the distressing ambiance taking over, there is no hope in sight. The insane guitar sound resumes with full force before the band decides on taking a more minimalistic approach making sure that you truly suffer for the rest of the journey.
Temple Nightside is channeling all of their hatred, all of their stomach turning nature through this album. And Condemnation acts as the perfect conduit for this deranged entity. This is a hazardous trip through the band’s scorched spirit that will not leave you disappointed, but it will certainly leave you damaged.
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