Hailing from Basque Country, Pestilength spews forth its vitriol with their second full length release Basom Gryphos. Heavy blackened death/doom metal all combined in a dense package filled with hatred. This is a wicked album, with twisting dark riffs and punishing drums that really rock you to your core. At times reminding me of other blacked death metal acts such as Teitanblood, or Pseudogod, Vassafor, and many others, taking after the clean blend of raw and high end production, creating deep atmosphere.
Diving right into the album right away you’re assaulted with heavy attacks from the guitars and aggressive drums. I really want to point out just how well played the drums are. The fills are just enough to where it doesn’t overshadow the rest of the band and still able to keep a very powerful rhythm going. The guitars are very well done. Muddy and dissonant effects over hypnotic riffs that feel like they’re slowly taking over your mind with out you really noticing. The drums really take center stage on this album I feel, as they’re just so powerful on each track that the guitar and bass almost seem like they’re supporting the drums.
The band builds a heavy Lovecraftian atmosphere, thanks to the very interesting vocals. The deep and guttural growls sound almost inhuman and thanks to the strange and occult lyrics they add a sense of forbidden mysticism that normal human eyes should not look over. The track Tephra Codex is a great example of that and its no wonder as the lyrics to that track where in collaboration with Portal’s The Curator. The influence is very much heard and its a perfect touch. The musical influence from Portal is also present within the album as well, especially towards the end. The hypnotic and twisting guitar riffs and oppressively powerful drums it reminds me of some of Portal’s early works.
What’s great is that Pestilength stands out on their own, though. And with this being their just second length, it really makes me wonder what else they hold in the future. This was the first album I heard from them, but it made me go back to give their previous works a listen and Basom Gryphos is possibly their best output yet. Would recommend giving this a listen.