Canadian artist Omnipotence this month presents its debut offering. Praecipitium is the fruit of a three year gestation since the band’s inception.

The band seeks to celebrate an absence of light in the universe; within compositions such as Composite Forms of Sound and Thought this Stygian world view sometimes reveals itself. Yet for much of the twenty nine minute duration of Praecipitium the music, punchy and well-produced by most standards, fails to present it’s case in those terms.

That is not to say that the casual enthusiast will not find some morsels to satisfy. If the music does not often portray moods that the artist seeks to evoke, it is at least of a high standard both technically and musically. The Emptiness That Breathes in particular will cause sensations pleasing to those appreciative of traditional black metal tropes and mores. The sound is crisp, and at times carries enough bombast to cheer those who seek for nothing more than volume and attack. The drumming, credited to T. King, is particularly impressive.

Penultimate composition Lethiferous is the most traditionally ‘heavy’ of the five pieces. Here the artist appropriates signature elements of both the doom and death metal genres. This however further dilutes the appeal to the purist. Conversely, this composition would seem to be most likely to be successful in capturing mainstream approbation for Omnipotence. A double edged sword indeed.

In summary, Praecipitium is a pleasant statement of artistic intent. Even so it is not entirely successful in fulfilling the stated ideals of the artist. Listeners will enjoy the superior musicianship on display, and there are many moments that might be deemed successful by the non-committed, but not less discerning, bystander.

Omnipotence see their debut album, Praecipitium, released through Iron Bonehead on December 7th. It’ll make an ideal Christmas present for all the fans of the second wave of black metal in your family!