Blackened death metal outfit Profane Elegy may cause folks to mistake them for a European band with its sophomore effort, Herezjarcha. One can attribute it to both the album title, the Polish word for heresiarch, and the diverse musical landscape on this album. The Pennsylvania quartet blend black metal’s ferocity with death metal’s precision with a touch of avant-garde and goth. Album opener “Exeunt Omnes”, Latin for “all go out”, opens the album in heavy fashion with blast beats and baroque, melodic riffing. It is a fast paced track that immediately got my head banging. The track slows down in the final third with dissonant guitars and a distant, woeful howl. “Haunted” commences with a pulverizing, repetitious drum pattern, that explodes into a brief thrashing tempo, before slowing to a refrained double bass over a sinister riff.
“The Accuser” has a cold, galloping riff and tight drumming that sounds like a cross between Vomitory and Satyricon. The midsection features clean vocals and some orchestral samples that heighten the mood on this track. The following track, “As My Heart Turns To Ash” has a slight, industrial tinge due to the robotic tone of the bass and guitar. However, the band’s Swedish death metal influences are prominent on this track, as the riffs are precise and urgent. The midsection is especially moving, with its soft guitar passages, tranquil flute, and clean vocals from Michael L. The final half maintains a downbeat tempo, guttural vocals, and regal guitar lead. “I AM” juggles from a frantic riff fest to a mid-tempo stomp. The constant rhythm changes keep the listener on their toes, as the band never veers off the rails. The band slows things down on the haunting “And Then We Are Gone”, with its slow tempo, baroque riffs and ethereal vocals. It is reminiscent of mid period Paradise Lost, but it still fits musically and thematically with the rest of the album. The title track concludes the album with At The Gates style speed and riffs, with shrieking vocals and sense of impending doom. The final half features Gregorian chant, a simple guitar melody and a spoken word passage about those who will face the wrath of God.
Herezjarcha is an album that does not outwear its welcome. The album features eight tracks with only three that surpass the five minute mark. Profane Elegy pack Herezjarcha with enough speed, technicality, emotion and aggression to make its point without overdoing it. The album is also fairly diverse, as the band expands beyond Swedish death metal and includes elements of goth and doom metal to accentuate the overall mood of dread and uncertainty on Herezjarcha. This makes for repeated listens as there are several curve balls that keeps things interesting. The production is just fine, as one can hear all of the instruments and the mix is not muddled.
Profane Elegy did a fine job on its second effort. Herezjarcha will appeal to fans of extreme metal, particularly fans of blackened death metal. The gloominess of this album suits the Winter season and should tide metal heads over during these winter storms. If this album promotes heresy, then let us face the Inquisition with smiles on our faces.
Check out the band’s page for news and tour dates: https://www.facebook.com/people/Profane-Elegy/100092367915270/
