Pried out of cryostasis, Oratoria Empírea is a lost gift from ancient worshippers of alien gods of Annunakian origin. This underground release is presented under the occult banner of the Enclave Magico Indomito and was created between the years of 2005 to 2009 and finally brought to Earth in 2021. These tracks were compiled together and present a unique and twisted take on psychedelic black metal that I think is unheard of outside of the mysterious Enclave. With seven unique tracks, the 34 minute run time feels like a breeze and something incredibly mind melting and can be rather easy to listen to for those black metal veterans willing to try out something new.
The album starts strong, with a steady head banging beat and groovy guitar riffs that ease the listener into a world of spacey and cosmic atmosphere that is emphasized by cold synthesizers, pushing along that other worldly aesthetic. This track makes many twists and turns, breaking down to a melodic riff that cries out to the stars above generates even further its rich psychedelic atmosphere. It finally degenerates towards the middle of the track, with only a lone guitar with strange backwards effects on it, making it warp in and out of your psyche as it entrances you into the rest of the album. There are plenty of outstanding moments on this track, with memorable synth melodies and a return to the previous groovy riff at the start except much more ferocious and attacking the listener as it sees fit.
Each track changes, showing it age at time, like the second track, a rough drum machine blasts away with a rough guitar riff twanging away in the foreground, making it jarring transition from the rather well put together opening track. The album jumps back and forth between higher quality ‘studio’ recordings and more of a ‘bedroom’ demo sound that makes sense as to why there was a long span between the release of this album and the recordings of it. This I can see being a draw back to those who would prefer a more straight forward and coherent release that brings emphasis to the best parts this project has to offer. The fifth track off the album, Pretérita Tradición, is another eight minute epic much like the opener. It progresses from relentless blast beats and another psychedelic and groovy riff into atmospheric and somber synths that generate back into the blasting onslaught. This prog-style song writing is so fitting for its Annunakian theme and occult background, and it certainly feels like that track was recorded around the same time as the first one given its similarities to its quality production and song structure. But those two tracks are certainly the best off the album.
I feel like the last two tracks end on a bit of a down note. The sixth track has a demo-like quality, almost feeling half-finished—as if it could be a continuation of the second track in some parallel universe. The final track, a solo guitar passage, is phenomenally performed and brimming with aggression and metallic fury. However, it feels more like an audition piece for a death metal band and doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the album. It’s still a solid listen, and I often throw it onto atmospheric death metal playlists as a buffer or palate cleanser between tracks, but overall, I don’t think it integrates well with the album as a whole.
All in all this is a phenomenal compilation with some memorable tracks and punishing qualities that would honor the Annunakian Gods of Nibiru as well as the old black metal maniacs of the underground. With influences taken from many different places, Oratoria Empírea is something unique to itself and a must listen to all those willing to test the strength of their psyche.