Cult Of Fire – मृत्यु का तापसी अनुध्यान

Czech based Cult Of Fire may not be the most familiar of names just yet, but मृत्यु का तापसी अनुध्यान will surely be the album that introduces them to a wider audience. Already the band are on their second full length in as many years and already they have created the kind of buzz that most groups can only dream of. Is it warranted? Heck yes it is. मृत्यु का तापसी अनुध्यान  is a work of extremely intense proportions and the European’s do much to push black metal further from its core and out into the more exotic tones of Eastern influence. Adorned by an incredible rendition of the Hindu Goddes Kali, मृत्यु का तापसी अनुध्यान  works a magical tone into its more standard black metal patterns and introduces passages of sitar as well as some truly fantastic chants into a palette of sounds that are as broad as they are divine.

मृत्यु का तापसी अनुध्यान begins with the deeply engaging tones of “संहार रक्त काली” and its progression from sitar to guitar and bottomless vocal lines is one that strikes at the very core. Cult Of Fire are defiant in their approach to modern black metal and their inclusion of against type instrumentation is truly beautiful to behold. That said, the more orthodox lines of their work are as gloriously satisfying as the curious side of the Cult Of Fire style is. The interweaving guitars and sitars dance around the fiery vocal breath of Devilish and create a landscape of sound that evokes images of a truly mystical magnitude that pulse and sway with a knowledge that mere mortals shall never be privy too. Cult Of Fire feel as though they are on another plane of existence entirely and it’s that kind of magic that pushes them way beyond most of the black metal released this year.

“शव साधना” punishes with a staggeringly quick pace that constantly pushes forward and feels unending in its torment before the outrageously gorgeous “काली मां” (Kali Ma) shifts into view. This particular song is a gentle ode to the Goddess Kali and its genuine beauty is held in chanted vocal lines that speak to Kali’s importance both at the beginning and at the end. A wonderful piano section lifts the song into new realms of absolute wonder and ensure that Cult Of Fire tread ever more on the outside of traditional black metal designs before the band ramp things up once again with a devastating “मृत्यु ही सत्य है.”

Maija Lahtinen

“दिव्य प्रेम की ज्वाला से दग्ध” (Burnt by the Flame of Divine Love) closes proceedings on similar sounds to its beginnings but takes in lighter tones before a spoken word section shimmers into view and allows the song to take on an almost transformative aspect. The song is a great summation of all that came before it and aims to evoke feelings of bliss and meditation and it’s clear that Cult Of Fire are a band that are extremely serious about their subject matter as the album flows quite majestically with a terrific sense of purpose. The closing stages are calm and serene, at odds with a lot of what has been heard but these softer moments are included in order to show that even in the most divine of circumstances, there are still peaks and troughs that must be overcome. Cult Of Fire are more than a band here and they transcend the boundaries between genre and religion with great command.

The LP can be purchased here or you can own the album digitally by clicking here.