underground_blasphemies: Cenotaph "Epic Rites" Oz records (1996)

This is the perfect metal album, in my opinion. Intricate without being overcomplicated, melodic without compromising aggression or heaviness; Epic Rites is a masterpiece marred only by a thin production. Each song is an epic expression of ancient sorrow and fury.

This band has shifted stylistically from each album. The earliest stuff was brutal and primitive, plodding doom death, and later stuff showcases Cenotaph evolving into something a lot more technical, but just as emotional as they were on the early material. One was from an Argentinean death metal band called Devastación and the other two were about Mexican bands: Toxodeth (pure Death/Thrash) and Cenotaph (Melodic Death Metal). Both Cenotaph and Toxodeth were pretty good and so I discovered that Mexico has its cool share of Metal too.

Now, imagine a Melodic Death Metal band that is less annoying than old In Flames, more inspired than At The Gates, and overall a lot tighter than Dark Tranquility. Impossible you say? Listen to fucking Cenotaph. And also, despite being a melodic death metal band it has got no keyboards.

Track list

"Intro" 00:41

"Crying Frost" 06:02

"Lorn Ends" 04:55

"Navegate" 05:12

"Towards the Umbra" 05:51

"As the Darkness Borns" 05:13

"Angered Tongues" 05:23

"Epic Rites" 04:07

"Dethroned Empire" 06:12

"Thorns of Fog" (pista extra) 05: 14

It starts with an atmospheric intro that leads to “Crying Frost” which also starts with a cool slow intro and then at 0:45 it picks up and kicks your ass with that super tight drum work, heavy-as-fuck riff and excellent vocal performance. Another intro prepares us for “Lorn Ends” is another fast song that just fucking owns with its cool leads and precise drumming. “Navigate” is where the album starts to get a bit repetitive, it’s not bad but it just sounds like recycled. There is also a mellow and acoustic break that serves as atmosphere-setter before the song becomes heavier again.

“Towards The Umbra” fucking rules…it starts with a cool drum intro and then comes in a demented shriek “EEEEEUUURRRGGGGHHH”. The Mexican version of John Tardy appears on the scenery. This song has a lot of heavy but yet melodic riffs and really pounding drum work. “As The Darkness Borns” has a mistake on its title “Borns”??? Well. However it’s an average extreme mid paced song with a melodic and galloping riff backed up by that ferocious drumming. The seventh song “Angered Tongues” is pretty average but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. “Epic Rites” is a kind of boring acoustic song for which I don’t care very much. Next is “Dethroned Empire” that starts with a Maiden-esque riff but when the raspy vocals kick in you know it’s melodic death metal that will satisfy any fans from older Night In Gales or Gardenian. The album I have purchased has got a bonus track called “Thorns Of Fog” which is another recycled tune that sounds a lot like the other stuff on this CD.