Only as a reminder Saturnalia was an ancient Roman festival held from December 17-23 to honor Saturn, characterized by 7 days of intense feasting, role reversals (slaves served by masters), gift-giving, and gambling. It was a period of “merrymaking” and wild, uncontrolled celebration, which influenced later winter holiday traditions. Some say the Christian Christmas was inspired on this festival for many reasons. Well, more Metal than this is impossible, don’t you agree my dear child of the night. Ensanguinate had the idea of bringing to Metal music it as “Death Saturnalia,” a furious album as “a monument to the female form in occultism, a topic so multifaceted it demanded a broadened musical palette” as the band says.
Regarding to the music, the thing that interests us, “Death Saturnalia” delivers some interesting things besides the crude and violent Extreme Metal of Ensanguinate. There are instrumental moments of “Angel of a Thousand Poisons,” if listened separately, my dear children of the night might think we are talking about a 1970s band. That happens by the third minute and gives the song a very distinctive musical order. This kind of thing proves – again – my point that Metal music is very, but very creative. On the other hand, there are tracks as “On Wings of Bone“ where the movements are cruel and vicious as Black Metal must be. I really liked the guitar work in this song with simple, but effective and atractive regarding to the sonancy. The kind of riff that makes the fan singalong. Both songs showcase Ensanguinate‘s musical signature clearly; the combination of a cruel and vicious verve with the 1970s inspired instrumentals. It is interesting how the band combines simple musical solutions with its raw and nervous instrumental performance giving the fan the impression that the song a lot more complex. It is not. It is only an impression. Great bands with great musicians do that all the time. There are also tracks as “Gloaming” that show how Venom inspired Black Metal bands all over the world. It is chorus reminds me a lot Venom’s “Countess Bathory.” By the way, having second thoughts after listening to all the album, Venom are a great inspiration Ensanguinate. Now, “The Whip and the Pendulum” is the track that surprised me the most with the grandeur of its intro and the way the band shifts from a calm tune to one of the fastest songs I have ever listened here. The anguish the track delivers is something to praise.
“Death Saturnalia” is a very interesting album and to be heard with all the attention possible. With this sophomore released, Ensanguinate proves to be a very promising band.
Ensanguinate “Death Saturnalia” was released on February 06th via Soulseller Records.
Track Listing:
1. Lámia
2. Angel of a Thousand Poisons
4. Rooted in Accursed Ground
5. Savage Hunger Far Beyond
6. Gloaming
7. The Whip and the Pendulum
8. Daughter to Cain
Watch “Angel of a Thousand Poisons,” official lyric video here:
I’m just a lucky guy who has chosen metal to live with for a long time. Metal changed my life for good. It made me more confident and stronger. Metalheads are naturally far away from the mass mediocrity and don’t accept impostures from anybody else. Metal is more than music, it’s a life changing oportunity!