Opus Taumaturgia "Northwest Vengeance"

In this review I will analyze the production, guitar work, vocals, ideology, percussion, song writing and tape format of the second release from Spanish Pagan Wizards of vengeance, my beloved, Natrium Muriaticum.

Production is quite a balance of high and low end. I was expecting a gloomier and grainier sound but was happily surprised with the release.

Guitars or synthesizer? Brilliant all the way through the entire release. Not sure if it is synthetic or not and not important yet let me simply state that the bass sounds like it must be a non-synthesized instrument, the guitar work is probably synthesized or just midi however there are interludes that are without a doubt a non-synthetic, 6 string traditional guitar. Great work in any case I must say.

As a quick synecdoche, that logo is right on point. Nothing is more elegant and over used by impostor as the Gothic script font. Natrium Muriaticum showcase the stark and foreboding textual design as no other act does.

Vocals are indecipherable, disinterested-robotic and disembodied, echoing the avenged warriors of the Iberian pagans against the Pig-Christ to use one of the terms from the jacket of the tape. Duplicated on other albums with inferior and flawed results, the vocals sound as if one is being shot through the head with silver bullets repeatedly but to only enhance the trauma and magnetism of this master-work.

Quickly I would like to speak to the ideology of the group which is one founded in the ancestral lineage of Spanish paganism. It is my opinion, not having a full comprehension of the origin and significance of the thought process. Yet it is clearly a major element in the music so I will briefly state a couple things regarding it. Basically I reckon this is an interesting approach to consider in that, Spain was and to a degree still is today a major so called Roman Catholic hotbed. Of course there are not as many so called Catholics around now as in the past both in their dispersion, demographics and density in Spain and also around the world. Nevertheless, Natrium Muriaticum are writing about the time before zero AD, a time of paganism, so called pre-history and wonder to say the least. As I do not fully understand the philosophy or ideas behind everything they are talking about I will conclude my descriptive and speculative remarks on the subject there.

Percussion on this album is radical and hyper-human like. Is it live or not? Computerized or human? In any case this album has the fastest double bass I have ever heard. Love those quick hitting, blast-like fills that mix up the tempo and direction of the songs and indeed the entire work from joy and victory to loss, ancestral reminiscence and death.

Song writing here is truly the work of a metal-god or devout mad person, possessed or otherwise expert. Those melodies are tremendous throughout, there is none that is deserving to be mentioned particularly because seriously every track is memorable and makes me head bang like it is 1989 somehow and I am front row at a Slayer show or something. The structuring of riffs into songs and transitions from one part to the next is soulful and meaningful. Opus is a very appropriate word to use in the pre-title of the release.

Quickly, the tape format is Killer. Enough said.

I really want to see the band on stage playing these songs with a one person line up or otherwise, chat with Cum Mortiis as well as become a proud owner of the other release I as of yet do not possess.

Hail Satan!