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Album Review: Hecate Enthroned – The Corpse of a Titan, A Lament Long Buried

Reviewed by Oli Gonzalez

Legends of the British underground black metal scene, Hecate Enthroned have had quite the history, with festival appearances at Damnation, Bloodstock, and Incineration in the UK, as well as appearing on the posters of Brutal Assault and Inferno festivals in mainland Europe! My introduction to the band, in the live arena, came during Reaper Festival in Manchester…and they were magnificent! Since their birth in the 1990s, the band have undergone some major changes in their lineup, and along with this comes changes to their sound. From the raw and primitive recordings from “The Slaughter of Innocence, a Requiem for the Mighty” to the more modern and refined approach characterised by “Embrace of the Godless Aeon”. Though Hecate Enthroned have always retained that impressive symphonic spice of black metal. 7 years have passed since their last full length. Good things come to those who wait, right? Right? Let’s find out with the band’s latest offering “The Corpse of a Titan, A Lament Long Buried”.

Austere. Haunting. Intriguing. Words to describe the chilling opening instrumental track that is ‘Adar Rhiannon’. Not the first time we have instrumental tracks (more on that later). All before vocalist Joe asserts himself with the most fierce of vocal shrieks to begin ‘Spirits Stir Within Our Ancestors Tombs’ . The pace is slow, measured, the tension palpable. Staying in the lower gears and before the time comes to unleash all hell. Then it does come. The pace quickens, the fury of the double kick drum joined by the sinister undertone of the synths, whilst the guitars and bass lock in to provide a dense distorted wall of sound. Then things slow down considerably at the 4 minute mark. Acoustic guitars providing an almost symphonic and melodic quality. More importantly, this provides some temporary respite for your senses after the pounding they’ve just endured. Though business quickly resumes as the end of this and ‘The Arcane Golem’ continue the relentlessly-paced multi-dimensional symphonic attack.

The acoustic guitars return at the beginning of ‘Steed of the Still Water’, providing a sense of continuity and narrative. Again, it helps to provide balance and brings us back down to earth, helping with the pacing of the album. Deviating from the route one blast beat barrage, the rhythm section leans into more of a hypnotic pattern, demonstrating versatility. The structure of the song and the entire album suggests that they’re not playing by the conventional rule book…and fair play to them, you never quite know where Hecate Enthroned are taking you next. Well, in this case, we’re lead to ‘Pwca’. The interplay and synergy of the violin and piano in this 6 minute instrumental ballad is like the soundtrack from an epic tragedy or a real tear jerking sad movie. Imagine a war movie where the lead character reflects upon losing one of his most cherished comrades in the theatre of war, and memories of him flash upon the screen. The mood is sombre, melancholic, and is set perfectly by this number.