Sepulchral Curse - Crimson Moon Evocations

Sepulchral Curse is a death metal band from Finland who formed in 2013. Their latest album “Crimson Moon Evocations,” is their 3rd full-length album; they have also released four EPs.

I've followed the band since their debut and even reviewed their second album, “Abhorrent Dimensions,” when I wrote for Metal Temple. As much as I loved that album, “Crimson Moon Evocations,” is just as good, if not better. Why? Because it's different while also combining a lot of the sounds presented on the previous two albums while forging a path all its own.

This album is far more melodic than the previous two albums–however, don’t let that fool you into thinking this is, in any way, a less than brutal presentation of Finnish death metal supremacy!  The melodies are dark and moody, embracing the classic Finnish style of melancholy.  Aleksi, Jaakko, and Niilas weave their incantations so thoroughly into the fabric of the songs that the album retains an oppressive air of death metal brutality at all times.  Of course, it certainly helps that drummer Johannes and vocalist Kari each provide crushing performances that never let anything other than a monumental beatdown through. 

“Crimson Moon Evocations,” is also a far more engaging album.  From the first second, I was hooked and by the time the last moment of time with the album withered away, I was ready to start all over again.  It’s still early in the year but I don’t know if a more memorable death metal album, in terms of how catchy and enthralling such heavy music can be, will be released anytime soon.  

The pacing is fantastic, every track feels like it is exactly where it needs to be.  The band smartly placed “Wildfires,” as the opener too.  Within seconds, it barrels through with an insane drum performance and riffs that balance might with magic.  The production and mix is encompassing—put on a good pair of headphones and this song will straight up devour you.  The later half of the song hits hard with layered vocals, a double impact within a song that is already, well, impactful.

“The Locust Scar,” could have also been the opener on some level, considering it’s a blazing rage fest from the get go.  However, it soon veers off and offers melodies that seem at home in the song for a warm feeling of familiarly yet they are definitely as abrasive as the more extreme parts, at least in their own way.  But several moments exist within the song that never let the listener forget this is death metal, first and foremost.  I can see this song being a massive hit on the live circuit because it begins brutal but offers a lot of crowd engagement through expert pacing of heavy and light elements. 

I feel that “Empress of the Dead,” really encompasses what this album is all about and the sound Sepulchral Curse was going for.  The opening melodies/harmonies are catchy while moving the song forward with purpose—the entire six and half minute runtime builds up very well. The middle portion is more straight-forward, which is great because it makes it more impactful after the melodic open yet makes those moments more appreciative. 

The final song, “Crimson Passage,” is quite the towering presence!  The opening guitars reach for stark skies, blending dismal melodies with crushing rhythm prowess. The vocals are deep, perhaps the best performance, vocally, on the album.  The middle part reaches a massive climax, the drums swirling the song together for an intense payoff in the final half, complete with a kick-ass guitar solo. 

With “Crimson Moon Evocations,” Sepulchral Curse have released an earworm of an album—and their best so far. 

Rating: Excellent