Torn Greetings! Another review of Greece's webzine Metal Soundscapes, this time for the album "Immortalis Factus", which has just been reissued by the German label Pesttanz Klangschmiede. My thanks to Dimitris of Metal Soundscapes for the so encouraging words and to Martin of Pesttanz for his fantastic work; briefly the Portuguese version. A thank you also to ye whom read this lines, big hug! Humbly: Sacerdos Magus
"2013 has been a milestone in the history of Antiquus Scriptum. On May 25th, 2013 this one man band from Portugal released its new full-length album "Ars Longa, Vita Brevis…" via Pesttanz Klangschmiede and on July Talheim Records re-released its previous work, the third full-length album "Conclamatum Est", originally released in 2010. And finally, on October 2013, Pesttanz Klangschmiede re-released their second album "Immortalis Factus" from 2008, an album that was released in 5 (!!!) different editions before, all very limited.
Antiquus Scriptum has been around since 1998, as the personal project of Sacerdos Magus, forging a very personal style that the band calls unorthodox symphonic black thrash metal with folk and ambient influences. Compared to the 2 last works that I have listened so far from the band, "Immortalis Factus" sounds more epic oriented. It contains 10 songs, plus a hidden track and the album lasts over 68 minutes. This time there are no cover songs, something that I really appreciate, since the album has a more solid atmosphere. The are 3 long songs around 10 minutes each, the over 16 minutes opening track "Procemium / A Viking Belief" and 6 shorter songs in between. Their music moves in the band’s characteristic epic metal style with sharp guitar riffs, somewhere between black, thrash and classic heavy metal, technical bass guitars, battle soundtrack-like synths, folk acoustic elements and Sacerdos Magus unique vocal styles. Guest female vocals in a couple of songs and several acoustic passages and instrumental songs make this long album even more interesting and easy to listen. The rhythm of their music is as always versatile, moving in a generally fast tempo with slower parts and many faster outbreaks. Lyrics are written half in Portuguese and half in English dealing with historical battles, ancient and mythological themes.
"Immortalis Factus" is practically in the same style with the band's two following albums, but it was the first work that actually introduced their characteristic sound, since their debut album sounds more raw and less experimental. Speaking about the debut, "Abi In Malam Pestem" will be also re-released by Pesttanz Klangschmiede in early 2014. Antiquus Scriptum is a band that deserves your attention, since it has a unique personal sound and very interesting ideas. In my opinion "Immortalis Factus" happens to have the best compositions of the band and also a very good production and sound. It is released in standard jewel case edition limited to 1000 copies and a digipak version limited to 100 copies. It comes with a 6-page folded booklet, including the lyrics and beautiful nature landscape photography. In their official pages you can find more details about the band and listen to their music."
Dimiarch (8,5 / 10)
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