(Sleazy Rider Records) Total Time: 51:52
DIVA NOCTUA ENTROPIA present us melodic Norwegian black metal with few Swedish death metal influences, in what appears to be their debut (although I am not sure), “Transerpentual”. When I talk about melodic black metal, I'm talking about very early BAL SAGOTH type melodic black, not CRADLE OF FILTH type melodic black. In fact, I believe I can discern references to BAL SAGOTH's “A Black Moon Broods Over Lemuria” and their demo tapes to DIVA NOCTUA ENTROPIA's “Anatasatana”. In general, the guitars are very melodic, the drums are relentless (with some great tampurine (tom-tom) drum) and the vocals are aggressive, in the Norwegian black metal tradition. The use of fagoto is interesting and welcome. The production is a bit on the bass side, and that makes the bass drum and the bass guitar a bit difficult to discern at times, but other than that, the sound is very good. The album starts with a classically influenced introduction, “You will not kill”, only shock the listener by moving into what is the most aggressive track of the album, “Tranquil he Slays”. Overall, a good and welcome release from the Greek black metal scene (which still shows its ROTTING CHRIST influences), although lacking a bit in the originality sector. We expect to hear a lot from them in the future.
