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CHASMA
Omega Theorian

Candlelight (2014)
Rating: 7/10

With their third platter, Portland,Oregon-based black metallers Chasma once again offer us something a little different when it comes to extreme metal.

Omega Theorian comes hot on the heels of 2013’s Codex Constellatia. It’s an eight-track outing from the trio, and one of cosmic brutality. Featuring harsh, throaty vocals, melancholically drawn out passages and doom-laden segments strewn with stardust, this is black metal combining slower divisions of the Burzum ilk mixed with slightly pacier avenues.

As albums go, Omega Theorian is not too dissimilar from the band’s previous works in that the riffs can be a tad repetitive. When the trio does decide to inject a different tempo though, it makes for more of an absorbing listen as with a track such as ‘Disciples Of An Ancient Aeon’, but the variety is certainly not the spice of life for these guys. While not as torturous in its extremes as, say, Burzum, the scratchy vocal and grim dungeon echoes of guitar, bass and drum can at times be quite atmospheric – again, I refer to ‘Disciples Of An Ancient Aeon’.

With a majority of the tracks clocking in at well over six minutes, I do find myself gagging for some variation. ‘Trapped Beneath The Shining World’ offers a brooding plod initially before the spark of darkness brings the track in as a sort of cascading menace amplified by the rush of guitars and rapid drums. It’s intriguing and a touch depressive, but it all too soon becomes just a tad mediocre in its cosmic state. ‘Cathedral Of Luminaries’ and ‘Angelaria’ are the types of tracks which freeze the blood with their intensity. But of all the tracks which hint at seeds of creation, it’s opener ‘The Emblazement’ – a mere two-minute or so introduction with odd jazz influences and female vocals. However, such dramatics are soon smothered by the suffocating murk of the aforementioned ‘Cathedral Of Luminaries’. From there, the album rarely escapes from its harsh intent.

While very much post-metal, or whatever you want to call it, Chasma’s latest offering still hints at potential as yet unrealised. As this crafty unit matures though, I’m sure they’ll finally reach their goal of creating truly wondrous pitch black fuzz.

Neil Arnold

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