DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS - POLAND - MODERN
EXTREME MUSIC
Here we are to present and review "Simulacra", the new and outstanding
release of the Polish Modern Extreme Metallions Devilish Impressions!
Without a doubt one of the most expected and addicting albums for 2012. Devilish
Impressions have made a huge step forwards in all aspects on their musical
career with this enriching release, a heart-felt experience for the listeners,
spiced by majestic orchestrations and melodies added to the extreme metal
aggressive touch, all in the right dose. A dynamic piece in all its own extreme
aura! Indeed a complete release that shall please the most of the adepts of
these metal genre. A masterpiece of musical art polished in all the right edges...
"Simulacra" is for sure a must-have release in 2012 a product of
excellence!
NeKronos Promotion HELL
DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS - Simulacra - 2012 -
Icaros Records
Genre: Modern Extreme Music
"(...)Of all ancient ones you are the one that had become an icon for us all
Rise your voice now up to the throne of those who lived and died at
pantheon!(...)" Icaros - Simulacra
Devilish Impressions are considered as one of Poland’s leading and most
innovative modern black/death metal acts. Devilish Impressions officially
started in 2000 as a three-piece, with founding singer / guitarist Quazarre
remaining as the only member of the original line-up. Since then the band has
always been developing their sound into something unique and own, with "Diabolicanos,
Act III...",the bands previous release, captured already the worldwide
attention of fans and media with their "modern black death metal" sound,
this has allowed them to tour with metal colossus such as Behemoth, Hate,
Vader, Suffocation and more! Yet with this new opus, Devilish Impressions
shall achieve allot more, for their sound is at the top of what is being done on
Polish extreme metal elite (Vader, Behemoth, Hate, Decapitated), when you
listen to "Simulacra" you will understand what I mean here, simply
outstanding, modern extreme metal art with all the right spice to make these new
piece become one of the best 2012 albums of the genre!
When we compare "Simulacra" (the bands 4th opus) with the previous
releases I can only state that Devilish Impressions are better than ever
and have conquered all with these new outstanding Luciferian dark sound, they
developed their musical art and brought it to an absolute new level, this with
special highlight to all the amazing spine-chilling orchestrations and musical
structures, delicate but yet so powerful and dynamic, a piece of art made from
musical geniality!
"Simulacra" shows itself to the listeners as a top extreme metal release,
the best work ever from Devilish Impressions to the date. The heart-felt
melodies, the haunting colossal orchestrations, the warm hallow romantic touch
here and there, transcendent and epic mystical aura, defiant and eloquent
lyricism, how complete and dynamic can this album be!? A magic potion of extreme
metal with a bit of everything into, an epic trip on a ocean of creativity and
geniality. As grandiose as other masterpieces in extreme metal created by other
Metal Titans! As symphonic epic as Dimmu Borgir, Emperor, Vesania or
Septic Flesh as brutal as Behemoth, Vader or Arkhon Infaustus
as melancholic as Katatonia or Opeth, as darkly romantic as
Cradle of Filth, Moonspell or Ancient as astral as Limbonic Art
or Crionics ... yet as unique as Devilish Impressions!
The POLISHed production and recordings of "Simulacra" mostly done on the
famous Hertz Studios by Devilish Impressions and Slawek &
Wojtek Wieslawscy (Vader,Behemoth,Crionics, Decapitated, etc.) as well as
the mixing and mastering are simply another piece of art to come out of such
outstanding studios, as clean as majestic as it could be, a perfect fit to these
Devilish album.
The album comes as a 3-winged digipack along with 16-pages booklet, all with
amazing cover, layout and design done by Michal ‘Xaay’ Loranc (Nile, Vader,
Behemoth, Necorphagist etc.). A perfect match to all the lyrical concept of
the album, the chess "king" Lucifer pieces on the board serve as an philosophic
theme across all these release. The eternal dichotomy, since the cradle to the
grave, between good and evil... an ode to the rebel angel Lucifer.
The lyrics written, in the majority, by Quazzare with the bright use of
quotations of artists like Oscar Wilde, Dante, William Blake, Lord Byron,
Edgar Allan Poe, among others, reveal again that this is not just a musical
piece of art but as well an enlighten, mind-liberating piece of pure philosophy
and artistic eloquence. There is allot to learn from the spoken words, allot to
drink from such rebel poetry and wisdom. A waste it would be to let this written
wisdom be untouched once you buy this epic artistic piece!
Musically this is a completely dynamic album, the stunning vocals done by
Quazarre, both vociferated and clean makes me dare to say that he is one of
the best and most complete singers and musicians in extreme metal, these release
is a proof of that, if that isn't enough, his guitar work is another highlight
through all the album, the melodic touch, the outstanding riffs and leads,
well... no wonder allot of other bands already requested for his services. The
outstanding top-skilled tight drumming by Icanraz reveal that he is among
the elite Polish drummers, must say his versatile work is an highlight through
all these album. Never behind the other elements, Vraath pounding bass
lines are a delight to the listeners ears, a constant dark pulse on the darkest
tunes. One of the higher developments on the characteristic Devilish
Impressions sound are without a doubt the majestic splendorous
orchestrations done by the guests Peter ‘Lestath’ Leszczynski (METransmissionAL)
and Wojciech ‘Flumen’ Kostrzewa (Asgaard). Enriching atmospheres that place
the band side by side with other melodic metal legends, indeed some of the best
orchestrations I heard in some good pack of time! To notice also the
participations of Jacek Grecki (Lost Soul) with a great lead on “Vi
Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici” and Roman Bereźnicki (Lecter) who added
some good acoustic guitar and bass sound into this delightful release!
Can't really pick best songs on "Simulacra" from "Icaros" an epic
hymn to the incarnated mankind's dream towards the apocalyptic "Legion of
Chaos" where fountains of blood run down like rain in such mystical astral
aura. Then come fourth "Lilith" a darkly romantic spine-chilling rhapsody
to the non-submissive cursed ancient one who defied the gods of slavery, a song
as addicting as haunted with such smashing mellow clean vocals. Quench your
thirst as thou are god yourself... "Fear no gods!" unleashes the fury on
an illuminated creation, a tune enriched with some outstanding clean vocals.
When wolves and tigers howl for prey you will listen to "The scream of the
lambs" an anthem of melodious delight with a superb guitar lead in the end.
All your hope is gone in the "Spiritual blackout", engraved in black this
is a darkened dynamic powerful track. March on! Conquer and take no slaves on
"Vi Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici" ("By the power of truth, I, while living,
have conquered the universe") another fast yet militant Pestapocalyptical tune
followed by another outstanding epic hymn by the name of "The last farewell",
wipe off the tears that run down your face as you hear to such intense and
strong tune, here the choirs and melancholic clean vocals may give you some
chills across thy spine and haunt you with such splendour. Simply the album
couldn't end better than with the instrumental colossus by the name of
"Solitude", close your eyes, transcend, let your soul fly and ascend to your
own kingdom, for you are your own God!
"Simulacra" is a spine chilling experience for the listeners, a blend of
eloquent philosophy and outstanding melodious orchestrations added to the epic
extreme metal aggressive touch. All in the addicting right dose, dynamic in all
its own extreme metal aura. Since I first heard "Icaros" (the first promo
track for "Simulacra") I had no doubt that this would be one of the best
albums for 2012 and years to follow, a piece not to be missed by any extreme
metal worshiper, some of the best albums I heard in these last years, so
complete, harmonious, spirited, all with a transcendent quality. A must have
diamond on every Metalhead collection. With this work Devilish Impressions
challenged the gods and flew above all men and reach the sun and the moon!
RüPä - NeKronos Promotion HELL
RATE: 10/10
Here is the Tracklist for the album:
DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS - "Simulacra" - CD 2012
01 - Icaros
02 - Legion of Chaos
03 - Lilith
04 - Fear no gods!
05 - The Scream of
The Lambs
06 - Spiritual
Blackout
07 - Vi Veri
Vniversum Vivus Vici
08 - The Last
Farewell
09 - Solitude
Total playing time = 39m
Recording Line-up:
Quazarre – vocals /
rhythm, lead and acoustic guitars
Vraath – bass
Icanraz – drums
Session synth / samples / fx appearances by:
Peter ‘Lestath’ Leszczyński (METransmissionAL)
Wojciech ‘Flumen’ Kostrzewa (Asgaard)
Guest appearance:
Jacek Grecki (Lost Soul)
– lead on “Vi Veri Vniversum
Vivus Vici”
Roman Bereźnicki (Lecter)
– acoustic guitars on “Lilith”
and “Solitude”;
bass guitar on “The Scream of The Lambs”
For further Information check:
OFFICIAL SITE :
http://www.devilish-impressions.com
FACEBOOK PROFILE :
http://www.facebook.com/devilishimpressions
MYSPACE :
http://www.myspace.com/devilishimpressions
YOUTUBE CHANNEL :
http://www.youtube.com/user/DevilishImpressions
TWITTER :
https://twitter.com/DevilishImpress
Label Webstore -
http://www.icarosrecords.com/webstore
CONTACT : quazarre@wp.pl or di-quazarre@wp.pl
