Review: “Possession Done” by Funeral Cult

Funeral Cult are a band with a wealth of history. Originally formed in 1993 by two friends Przemysław Pawlak (vocals) and Piotr Wilk (guitar) who were joined by Karol Arkuszewski (drums). They wanted to play severe and slow music which brings aura of sorrow, melancholy and dark. Lyrics were focused on slavic people, their gods and funeral ceremonies and rites, which in turn gave the band their name and with this concept they began to shape their future. 1996 saw the release of their debut album “Korowody Cieni” via Portuguese label Lusitanian Music with the band a five piece and following on from that they inked a deal with Polish label Millennium Records to record an EP, reissue the album and record their sophomore effort. But after a two year legal battle during which the band can do nothing, their second album entitled “Mystery of Possession” recorded in 1998 ended up never seeing the light of day.

In 2006 Karol Arkuszewski (drums) decided to reactivate the band. After 19 years he meets Piotr Wilk (guitar) again. Another 12 years goes by in which new songs are written and after Przemysław Pawlak (vocals) refusal to rejoin their ranks they find new vocalist, Jacek Rybak. 2018 sees them return to the stage and play only two old songs – “The Wonderer” and “Bojan’s Song” with a wealth of new material on show. April 2019 saw the band record three tracks at Heavy Gear Studio. They contact Lusitanian Music again and the result is  “Possession Done”…

Occult themes and dark atmosphere flows through the black heart of  “Necroscope” which has a blend of Black and Doom Metal elements that give Funeral Cult a witches cauldron of a cocktail to create their evil sounds from. The track has an interesting dynamic with Sludgy riffs and a tempo changes that build subtlety as the brew comes to the boil. Rybak’s vocals are a steady black bark of meloncholic bitterness with accenting that only enhances their demonic properties. “Frost” slows things down further with distorted spoken word passages and bright leads with a haunting tone before stepping through the gears with the help of some impressive skills from Arkuszewski on the kit. Slowing things for a downtempo closing is a moment of brilliance in a thoroughly listenable collection of songs that manage to find the perfect balance between their influenced styles. Saving the best to last “I am You Are Me, The Fury” is a pummeled affair that has nuances which mean you get something else at each listen. Black Metal grooves bring the sense of a Viking ship on the high seas while the lead work lights everything up perfectly. If there ever was a Sith lord walking the Earth then Rybak definitely has his voice. His lyrics are as black as the night and his voice is the epitome of evil [7.5/10]

Track listing

1. Necroscope
2. Frost
3. I am You Are Me, The Fury

“Possession Done” by Funeral Cult is out 21st February via Lusitanian Music