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SPELL OF DECAY
Spell Of Decay EP

Self-released (2018)
Rating: 7.5/10

Hailing from Sassari in Sardinia comes death metal devils Spell Of Decay, a formidable pack which marries dark, atmospheric death metal with sprigs of black metal.

This is the Italian band’s first slab of work, which boasts five strong tracks and begins with the excellent ‘Devourers Of Light’; a menacing and melancholic chunk of earthy death metal injected with a morbid solo before the hammers of percussion come clattering in to provide a thick wall of meaty, deep, dark metal.

Spell Of Decay have a strong mid-to-late 90s death metal feel, but thankfully there’s no real gloss to speak of in spite of the booming melodies contained within. ‘Devourers Of Light’ is a pacey track, but one so clogged with silt that one cannot help but become immersed and eventually suffocated by the designs as vocalist Luigi Cara bellows his way through the thick, enveloping gallops of gloom. And that’s how each track pans out; the combo supplying equal evil measures of morose, slower segments of sickness until the cobwebs are blown off by the faster rushes of power and dread.

The twin guitar attack of Sandro Naitana and Bartolomeo Zinellu instil extra dollops of fear as ‘I Shall Be King’ comes rumbling like black thunder. Enriched by its melodic chords and percussive clatter, there’s an air of early 90s death metal worship as the riffs suddenly chug like machine gun fire and Massimiliano Falchi’s bass grinds. This is another killer track which grumbles hard and heavy, providing a mid-paced ooze of all consuming tar.

But what I really like about this EP is the lyrics; the blackened scapes of, say, ‘Stronghold’ and ‘Salvation’ have an air of the epic about them as the outfit rolls its way through the dark lands like a well-oiled but hideous machine, as Cara spins tales of “battle horns” and “bringers of doom” while pounding his phlegm-coated chest in honour of his fathers and brothers.

The reflective ‘Salvation’ has an air of the sombre and the sad; “Even if my soul is damned, it shall never leave my heart, Even if my flesh’s corrupted, I’ll come back to life again” chokes Cara, before gasping “Oh please Father hear my cry, I’m here standing on my knees, begging you for saving me, and absolve me from my sins”.

Spell Of Decay bring more to the table than just standard death metal. Instead, we get thick, moody compositions steeped in melody, and roaring vocal calls that command your attention. This EP is 27 minutes in length and what it may lack in fusty, foul odours is more than made up for with its structures of maturity and weight, and I really look forward to a full-length release from this Italian band.

Neil Arnold

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