Non Opus Dei - The Quintessence

I must admit, this album took a while to grow on me. At first, it went by, feeling dreary and colorless. But after further listening, I realized that’s not the case. Darkness has many hues, and what I mistook for dreariness turned out to be subtle, varied, and, yes, colorful.

Non Opus Dei has penned one of the darkest records I’ve heard in a long time; “doomy blackened death metal” could be one description. The Quintessence is a 46-minute tunnel of hushed whispers, alien rasps, and discordant harmonies dripping down the walls. Guitars, panned left and right, conjure up ringing dissonance that feels like raking knuckles across rocks. Gonzo from grinders Third Degree is on drums, and he finely balances grooves, fills, and blastbeats.

This is a deep, well-written record that requires investment, but pays off accordingly. It’s available at Deathgasm and Red Stream.