Nekrocosmo: Demiurge

Another face in the long and growing line of somewhat eclectic and prolific Russian one man metal projects, Astarium has been flying under the radar for almost decade, having formed in 2005. While the majority of Astarium’s catalog is rooted in symphonic black metal, there have been a few outlier albums that really call to mind the eccentric output of fellow Russian acts Frozen Ocean and Senmuth. Astarium really hasn’t been as off the wall as either of those two bands, but Nekrocosmo: Demiurge, the band’s only 2014 release to date, does show Astarium staring towards the cosmos.

While most band’s that write about space focus on astronomical anomalies, wormholes and space travel, Astarium instead focuses on the, like the title states, a demiurge, which is some type of working creator who fashioned physical existence as we know it. That may sound like some of religious, monotheistic jargon, but it is usually vastly separated from religious views. Regardless of what inspired Astarium’s solitary multi-instrumentalist SiN to steer towards the stars, Nekrocosmo: Demiurge brings new elements into Astarium’s symphonic black metal styling.

Previous albums, such as Atenvx were an amalgamation of rather raw and simplistic black metal and overarching keyboard patterns and symphonic flair. This latest work focuses primarily on the synthesizer patterns mixed with plodding rhythms. While not devoid of riffing, as evidenced by the mid-paced trem riffing on “Golem” and the cyclical patterns on “FlashBack”, but the primary focus certainly rests on the the mix of atmospheric, wall of sound styled keys and classically inspired, swirling piano lines. These sweeping keys and synthesized backgrounds are way to front of the mix, at times sounding more like a soundtrack than a metal album. It all comes crashing back, though, when SiN’s raspy snarls and processed, electronic vocals break in (which are really quite off-putting and unsettling).

The programmed drums incorporate some strange, almost danceable rhythms at times, which may sound a little strange mixed with the rest of the music, but it fits together well. Nekrocosmo: Demiurge is apparently the first part in a trilogy that Astarium will release, dealing with themes of space. The epic and sweeping keyboard patterns highlight a strange journey through the stars, as rasped vocals and buried heavy riffing threaten to drag you to a distant void. It’s a direction that seems fitting for Astarium. We’ll see if the rest of the trilogy follows suit.

Written for The Metal Observer.