Some bands take years to even make a first demo, if releasing one at all. A full length of a high caliber as a first release is something truly special. Meet Strigiform, with their debut album Aconite. Aconite is a plant that has been used as poison for a long time, with it giving blisters and loss of feeling by just touching it. After digesting it, it could result in heart problems and paralysis.
With that in mind, the album opens with the sense that I have ingested the poison. The opening track Adamant starts with powerful drum hits from Morte Rossa, thundering bass notes from Aiakos and tightly dissonant notes on the guitar performed by Saprovore. Only after a short and brutal introduction the deep vocals from N. starts with a haunting presence.
The melodies are a chaotic coherence of dissonant riffs, playful bass work and interesting drum parts. It almost sounds a bit proggy, while remaining haunting and keeps you on the tip of your seat wondering what comes next. The vocals are ranging from deep grunts to screams, to a haunting style of yell. It reminds me a lot of some works of Deathspell Omega, all being more heavy in sound.
The entire album feels like a feverdream, each track compliments the other ones yet deserves praise on their own. This album is best enjoyed listening from front to back, where each track drags you further into madness. A single listen would not be enough to discover every part of the music, and my compliments to Aiakos, I have not heard such playful yet impactful bass parts for a long time. It is a joy to listen to it!
Being a debut album, this is really solid! And I am not the only one who thinks like that: label I, Voidhanger records agrees with that and are releasing it on limited digipak cd (200pcs). Be quick, as this is a release that is a must in the collection of any avantgarde black/death fan.
90/100
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