Deathspell Omega - Drought

Deathspell Omega is one of those bands that continues to evolve into something amazing. If you take the early days and listen to what they have become, they simply are one of the most unique, and also one of the most twisted and darkest bands to come out of black metal. The only disappointing thing about their latest EP 'Drought' is that I wish it were a full length, because the chaos that takes place on this thing just ends too quickly.

As 'Salowe Vision' opens this tale with its post like entrance, a more calmer DO then we are use to, I picture a farming town that has been left without water for months. Their crops are dying, the people are thinning. All the green has disappeared. Suddenly, the dark clouds gather and the people come running outside with their arms outstretched to embrace the rain that is about to fall from the clouds and help grow their crops again.

Just as they are about to rejoice, 'Fiery Serpents' proves that the clouds have been deceptive as they hail balls of fire onto the fields, destroying all the crops that have been trying to grow, burning down houses, setting people on fire. The chaos that ensures from this moment is ridiculous. Absolute disjointed chaos from off timing riffs and drum patterns that stop and start like a flurry of bullets being fired at odd moments. Moments of melody sometimes come in but are quickly dispersed when the disjointedness tears through and dominates. Has DO become the Dillinger Escape Plan of black metal?

For all the sheer destruction that breaks out here, I like how Mikko just keeps his harsh vocals low and monotone throughout the entire thing through all that disjointedness extreme riffing and drum patterns. It is almost like a voice from the clouds that cannot be overpowered by anything, telling the town 'We have come for your souls and you have absolutely no hope of defeating us, so without effort from us, watch your town be destroyed and vanish.'

The way this EP comes and goes so quickly thanks to its quick chaotic burst just seems to show that everything you live for can be destroyed and become nothing and forgotten in a matter of moments. A chaotic event can be drawn out and really painful. But also, it can be so quick to the point that it almost felt like you never existed.

Ikil