Metal Storm logo
Et Moriemur - Epigrammata review




Bandcamp music player
Reviewer:
9.3

33 users:
7.42
Band: Et Moriemur
Album: Epigrammata
Release date: March 2018


01. Introitus
02. Requiem Aeternam
03. Agnus Dei
04. Dies Irae
05. Offertorium
06. Communio
07. Libera Me
08. Absolve Domine
09. Sanctus
10. In Paradisum

Epigrammata (or Επιγράμματα, as it is written on the cover) is the third full-length album by Et Moriemur from Czech Republic and I have to admit that the band had completely slipped under my radar until about a couple of months ago when I came across their latest release. Better late than never though and I feel very lucky for stumbling upon this fantastic record.

Et Moriemur describe their music as existential doom metal and their compositions are characterized as "the soundtrack for the absurdity of life and triviality of man". With Epigrammata they tried to portray their effort to cope with the loss of people they loved. The album follows the typical Requiem structure and features lyrics in ancient Greek and Latin (επιγράμματα translates to epigrams, which were short poems inscribed on votive offerings at sanctuaries and on funerary monuments).

This dark and melancholic lyrical theme is brilliantly combined with Et Moriemur's gothic and black metal-influenced, atmospheric death/doom mix. In Epigrammata they have incorporated Gregorian chanting (imagine Batushka but doom-driven), instruments such as cello, violin and trombone among others and they have even employed the services of a choir. The piano and keyboards are in the forefront and anyone can understand that to be able to blend everything successfully is a not an easy task, but these musicians do it naturally and effortlessly.

And absolutely flawlessly.

From "Introitus" that opens the album with guest Kostas Panagiotou's (Pantheïst, Towards Atlantis Lights) mesmerizing recitation over heavenly female vocals, through the haunting doom dirge of "Agnus Dei", the constant mood shifts of "Communio" and the dramatic and theatrical "Absolve Domine", this album takes you on a totally unpredictable and emotional rollercoaster trip, ranging from total torment to long-awaited catharsis.

But Et Moriemur have saved the best for the last two tracks. "Sanctus" begins with a claustrophobic riff and horrifying growls, transitioning into religious chants over double-bass drumming, until the Moonspell-esque, punishing chorus kicks in, the keyboards take over and the chanting relieves you from your agony once again, but only temporarily; it's the stirring blackened melody that brings genuine closure. Most bands would be thrilled to have come up with such a grand ending, but not this one. Et Moriemur chose the funeral march of "In Paradisum", with its heartbreaking violin and angelic choir towards its last minutes, to slowly lift you up to the sky and free your soul. This is the feeling of absolute bliss that is extremely rare and can be experienced only with music, when it is so sensitive and powerful at the same time.

Epigrammata is an otherworldly selection of divine poems inscribed on the tombstones of our loved ones; a testament of our pain for their absence but also an expression of enormous gratitude for their past existence with us. Do not miss out on this transcending experience.

"Smile, for we walked together for a little while..."





Written on 25.04.2018 by Only way to feel the noise is when it's good and loud!


Comments

Comments: 3   Visited by: 251 users
25.04.2018 - 02:31
nikarg

Each year a band appears out of nowhere and leaves me speechless. In 2017 it was Wormwood, this year it is Et Moriemur. I can't see how this album can lose the #1 spot in my year end list.
Loading...
25.04.2018 - 10:55
Daniell
_爱情_
Written by nikarg on 25.04.2018 at 02:31

I can't see how this album can lose the #1 spot in my year end list.

Still 8 months to go. Give the world a chance.
Loading...
25.04.2018 - 15:51
MetalManic

Written by Daniell on 25.04.2018 at 10:55

Written by nikarg on 25.04.2018 at 02:31

I can't see how this album can lose the #1 spot in my year end list.

Still 8 months to go. Give the world a chance.


Ya! That's what I was saying about St. Anger..............................................................ABSOLUTELY KIDDING!!! How do I delete this comment?
Loading...

Hits total: 5600 | This month: 6