Panchrysia - "Dogma" (Satanath Records, 2018)

Band: Panchrysia
Title: Dogma
Genre: Black Metal
Time: 39.28 min
Release Date: 30th April 2018
Rating: 80/100













Some months ago I received a pack of 7 physical CDs from Satanath Records. The first album taken from that pack to be reviewed on these pages was the disappointing "Formador" by Panico al Miedo. Well, the last album coming from that pack to be reviewed here is the interesting "Dogma" by Panchrysia, a very experienced Belgian band existing since 1998 and that, thoughout the years, shared the stages with many relevant acts such as Impaled Nazarene, Cannibal Corpse, Vader, Belphegor etc. So, we are talking about a band that know what they're doing, and it isn't a case if their fifth album "Dogma" deserve good considerations from the black metal maniacs.


Consisting of 8 tracks, "Dogma" show a band that, after many years, have forged a very personal sound. Basically, they play black metal. But specifically, theirs is a dynamic black metal able to naturally range from really violent and majestic blasting moments to dark mid/slow tempos that can bring also to more atmospheric passages full of melodies. Plus, the lead guitar is almost omnipresent in the progression of the songs also by playing some nice guitar solos. And there is need to say that the vocal department is a little bit unusual since it see, from time to time, some spoken clean vocals also taken from sketches, while the performance of the singer Zahrim, able to spew forth very violent screams, is really expressive. For me, this sonic formula is exemplified at its best by the songs "Never to See the Light Again" and the closing "Rats" (both have great brutal but emotive accelerations after introspective parts). In addition, this last track contains, like "Gilgamesh", something strange.

In fact, the intros of "Gilgamesh" and of "Rats" are bizarre. Specifically, the former starts with a guitar playing oriental melodies, and the latter with an absurd (and somehow senseless) lounge jazz intro. This means that the band show a (very) slight will to experiment bizarre solutions but without integrating them with the black metal parts, and this is a shame. At this point, I suggest to Panchrysia to develop better this experimental side for their future productions to come, also to make senseful intros like the one of "Rats".

In conclusion, "Dogma" is the fifth album of a band creating a personal black metal able to offer very different solutions so to range from the doomish "Salvation" to faster songs like "28 Steps". In addition, Panchrysia have the not so frequent skill to move emotionally the listeners, as perfectly expressed by "Never to See the Light Again" and "Rats", my favorite songs of the entire album. It isn't a masterpiece (also because of a little bit weak drums; and of a song like "Gilgamesh", that maybe needed more fast parts so to resume its first violent minute that, instead, is followed only by slower passages) but this album, such is its variety and its emotivity, is perfect for Panchrysia to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

P.S.:

the booklet of this album has 8 pages. Unfortunately, the booklet in my possession lacks of 4 pages, that have been ripped off. Shame, even though I received all the albums for free.

Tracklist:

1 - Each Against All
2 - Salvation
3 - Gilgamesh
4 - Kairos
5 - War with Heaven
6 - Never to See the Light Again
7 - 28 Steps
8 - Rats

Line-up:

Zahrim - vocals/guitars
Web - guitars
Jef - guitars
Jesse - bass
Dol - drums

FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/Panchrysia
Satanath Records: http://www.satanath.com/