Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Finnish cult black metal ensemble Azazel unveiled their latest album, “Ave Dominus Luciferi”, during the summer season, as per inferno. On December 5, a vinyl edition of the album was issued, accompanied by the release of a music video for the track “Ave Satanas / Lord of Fire“. The band, established in 1992, has produced four full-length albums to date, with “Ave Dominus Luciferi” being their fourth.
Formed in the fatal year of 1992 Azazel is among the first black metal bands to hail from Finland – and undoubtedly one of the most cult ones. The band released its first demo in 1993, and a mini-album in 1996, but then receded into the shadows and misery for many years to come. Following a split album in 2011, however, the black flame of Azazel was burning brightly once again resulting in full-lengths “Jesus Perversions” (2012), and “Witches Deny Holy Trinity” (2015). And while it seems that the shadows of misery ensnared the band again some demons never die…
Now, at long last, those shadows recede and reveal Azazel‘s long-awaited third album “Aegrus Satanas Tecum”. Immediately and righteously recognizable as Azazel, “Aegrus Satanas Tecum” is a unique record in that it bridges together all the band’s eras whilst opening new portals into the black beyond. One will find the near bestial filth and fury of “Jesus Perversions” alongside with more haunting and even stately sensations of “Witches Deny Holy Trinity”. But, like anything in Azazel‘s wild and weird world, ramshackle insanity runs often a riot and, thus, is a variety of songcraft employed to mangle the mind and ruin the spirit. And, yet, the finesse with which Azazel accomplishes it is playing something “primitive” but in clear and cutting fashion (and vice versa), which bespeaks some strange magic on the band’s part and lends even more staying power to their ever-uncompromising sound. Above all, “Aegrus Satanas Tecum” is an album that is equally early ’90s as it is now – Azazel is more undead than ever.
