Ars Macabra have been around since 1998 and although they were continously plagued by instabilities in their line-up, they have now released their first album, which was already recorded in 2001. Deamonolatria hypnotica is essentially your standard war black metal recording. The Italians unleash such an aggressive straightforward fury that one feels at times reminded of Sarcófago's Crust. This orgy of speed is layered with by rather simple memorable riffs. Up to now all this sounds quite simplistic, but this ist not necessarily true since Ars Macabra have managed to give all their songs an interesting twist. As fast and catchy as it all seems at the first glance, there are some interesting arrangements hidden within their music.
Even though the percussions resemble a drum maschine a little too much here and there, the brutal and stormy time-changes are executed. Even when their playing is more straight to the point, as in the case of Sturmgeschütz of Chaos, Ars Macabra leave a harmonious impression. Furthermore two different vocal lines are being utilized, one of which is faster and more aggressive and also responsible for the lion's share of the singing and the other a little deeper and darker, both elegantly combined. All in all Daemonolatria hypnotica a respectable debut, even more considering that the band constantly has had the cope with line-up changes. People who like fast and aggressive black metal, are well advised to take a listen.


Review by: Aceust
Translation by: H.S.

01. Misteria nocturna
02. A recollection of the world once called earth
03. Disciples of torment
04. Machinator tormentorum
05. Psycho apocalypse
06. Sturmgeschütz of chaos
07. Prolegomena of the warfare state
08. Dawn to an endless night