This posed a question, is it better to hear new material on album first or live? Having caught Polish act Blaze Of Perdition a couple of months ago and noted that their song-craft would probably make more sense if allowed to grow I think I would have enjoyed it more with several listens under my bullet belt. It has taken 4-5 plays for the grandiosity and richness here to fully engage and now I am really enjoying the album on repeated spins. Of course there is a certain oddness to get over too in comparing both incarnations of the band as they seem to have two different formats; chiefly lead singer Sonneillon is not in the live line-up but replaced by Destroyer which is a somewhat odd way of going about things. The band have also enriched their left hand path occultism through the years and polished sounds and ideas along the way making this album although still tarred with the blackness of metal one that has a sheen about it morphing through to other directions. The narrative describing Christ’s descent to hell may not be the greatest surprise but the music may well be…

The seven dense tracks start with what sounds like a heartbeat before ploughing into ‘Suffering Made Bliss’ which is a statement of intent and rages forward with orthodox blackness from the players and gravid raw vocals haranguing us every step of the way. Not afraid to slow down at times an eldritch atmosphere prevails with some sinister whispered backing vocals filling in the gaps. Melodicism is definitely important and again I am reminded a bit of bands like Dark Fortress here but thoughts spread like the gothic guitar tones pervading with frond-like rapture from ‘With Madman’s Faith.’ Here the nail is firmly hit on the head and the song has a tempestuous rhythm that given a few spins will stick like tar. It also strikes as surprisingly upbeat despite the rasping vocals and with drums thumping hardily it’s a vitriolic number and a half. A good death belch and blasting segment prove this is still very much delivered without compromise. I guess there was strength in the live encounter as single ‘Transmutation Of Sins’ was recognised on first album encounter. A veritable fist-pumper of a number with a chorus that’s as catchy as hell, the melody strikes as a song that could have been pumped out by early Moonspell if the vocals were not quite so hoary. I guess the tinge of Gothicism is spreading here. The Kingdom Of Heaven is approached via ‘Królestwo Niebieskie’ and is presented in a near biblical and epic widescreen format. Drums bang like they are being hammered in at Calvary and the vocals rise in anger and dictatorial delivery. It certainly feels like someone is about to meet their maker.

‘What Christ Has Kept Apart’ may well be blasphemous by name but there is a romanticism about it that is reminiscent of bands such as Secrets Of The Moon. Also, despite the 8 minute plus running time it’s also a song that really gets its hooks into you. The melody is incredibly strong and kind of reminds me of something that we will be getting to at conclusion. Before that though we get the longest track ‘The Great Seducer’ if this is Satan himself then it is all about the triumph and the glory of his interference in God’s plans. Slowing down in the middle with forked tongue intruding it’s a totally enthralling track to totally absorb yourself in. So, we arrive at the finale and the cover song and now it makes much more sense. We all know countryman Nergal likes getting up and crooning along to Fields Of The Nephilim’s most commercial hit Moonchild and here Blaze Of Perdition put their own mark on it. Being a massive fan and hard to please here I’m suitably impressed. Perhaps more urgent than the original, drummer DQ giving it a particularly vigorous workout, once you get past the difference in vocal delivery it does the song justice ending a very powerful and strong album; one which could definitely stand the test of time…

(8.5/10 Pete Woods)

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https://blazeofperdition.bandcamp.com/album/the-harrowing-of-hearts