Although Australian entity Demorgorgon is largely the work of one man, the music on the project’s latest offering seeks to be far more than mere unidimensional black metal. Whether this aim is successful or not lies squarely within the grasp of the listener, who will decide for themselves on it’s success or otherwise. As a reviewer, this listener felt a little frustrated by the at times prosaic approach to composition – others may revel in the primitive brutality of pieces such as Fuck God and Fuck You.

The cinematic impulses of the eponymous progenitor of the music are sated by opening piece From Utter Darkness; At the opposite end of the album, The Ancient Forest also seems to strive for the more majestic, perhaps calling to old Gods such as Bathory for inspiration and succour. Here, the restrained use of keyboard orchestration adds welcome colour to the rather basic mix of electric and acoustic guitar; However Demorgorgon’s primal vocal approach here is in supreme harmony with it’s musical surround, suggesting the possibility of success in future endeavours if the artists were to plough similar furrows on subsequent releases. It is here, in the dichotomy of epic expanse and intimate, inward-looking humanity, that Demogorgon’s greatest success would seem to lie. For it is here that true connection is made with th listener, leading to a fulfilling communion between artist and onlooker that happens but rarely in int field of ‘traditional black metal’ in modern times.

As noted, this approach is not for every day or ever listener. Those of simpler outlook and requirement may find much to enjoy in well-constructed pieces such as Holocaust Humanity.

Your correspondent has largely left this sort of black metal behind over the last two or three years; however when ‘true’ black metal can still be delivered with heart and sincerity, as is undoubtedly the case here, it can be a worthwhile experience. I therefore have no hesitation in recommending Demorgorgon to anybody with a taste for the extreme.

You Are Worthless And I Want You Dead is out now.