I promise I won’t ramble on about my love for black metal throughout this review—and I understand this is true for heavy music in general—but I’ve always found it fascinating how various scenes incorporate their unique spin on such a classic sound. Whether it’s the uprising of the Chilean blackened thrash scene (shoutout to Last Rites’ resident Chilean metal enthusiast, Ryan), classic Norwegian black metal, or even the underappreciated U.S. black metal scene, there are little intricacies that allow them to separate themselves from one another. Take, for example, the more death metal-inspired sound of a Profanatica compared to the cold and ethereal production of an Unholy Trinity-era Darkthrone. And while those are just two, there are endless comparisons.
From the moment “Eternal Shadow” kicked in, I was hooked. There are plenty of hypnotic riffs and incredible work behind the kit on that record—most notably “Possessed by the Full Moon” and “Fortress of Doom.” Truly, Mystical Fortress of Iberian Lands is an album to listen to while loitering around a medieval castle. And while I love that record, Lord Mortuorum refrained from regression by releasing my favorite work of his, Lord Cramridor, just months later. I still clinch my fists when the riff from “Forging Black Steel” howls through the speakers.
Lord Mortuorum has returned, continuing the legacy of the project’s dungeon synth-raw black metal influence with the EP Desecration of the Bastille. Clocking in at around 25 minutes, the EP teeters on the edge of a full-length, and sonically, it feels that way, too. I suppose that’s one of its most impressive attributes—how Lord Mortuorum can condense so many ideas into the extended play without making it sound like everything, including the kitchen sink, flails, and claymores, is being thrown at you. During the intro, “The Awakening,” and outro, “Under the Cold of thy Shadows,” I hear some early Ulver vibes. In many ways, the acoustic interludes throughout the album might fit on something like Kveldssanger.
As I alluded to earlier, you’ll hear plenty of second-wave black metal on Desecration of the Bastille, mainly in the riffing and production, much like previous Calderum records. Some of the heavier moments and the blend of synths are indeed reminiscent of Satyricon’s Dark Medieval Times. You’ll notice how well the EP interweaves the tremolo riffs and sudden halts to synths and—yes—those acoustic breaks. The title track is a solid example, but “Pagan Fires” is so ironically cold that it would fit perfectly just a few scenes to the northeast in Norway. Rewinding to “Desecration of the Bastille,” your gracious host, Lord Mortuorum, creates two atmospheres: one perfect for a stroll through Hyrule and one perfect for destroying your enemies in the Forgotten Realms. Excellent use of a Legend of Zelda and Baldur’s Gate reference, right?
While many one-person projects rely on drum programming and machines, and there’s nothing wrong with that, Lord Mortuorum’s authentic drumming is punishing and an absolute blast to listen to. Take note of the work on “The Power of Our Ancestors.” It’s straight from the School of Kjetil-Vidar Haraldstad. There’s a rhythmic foundation here that echoes in the mix like hooves marching towards battlefield plains.
Lord Mortuorum wears his influences on his sleeves, and he has for the tenure of the project. So, I’m not here to tell you this will be the most groundbreaking EP you’ll hear this year, but that isn’t mandatory to be an enjoyable 25 minutes of your time. There are infinite old-school black metal bands at your disposal, but I mean it when I say Calderum is unquestionably a project worth your while. Despite its intentional rawness, Desecration of the Bastille contains various moments you can sink your teeth into whether you’re a fan of black metal or not. While it’s that at heart, the dungeon synth and acoustics make it quite accessible for those who typically stray from the genre. On his third offering since 2022, Lord Mortuorum has constructed yet another fantastic release I’ll be spinning for the foreseeable future.
