Review: “Beneath the Crimson Eclipse” by Imperial Demonic

Hailing not far from the brisk fjords of the Black Metal motherland being from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Imperial Demonic pay homage to the more polished genre sounds of the late 90’s and early 2000’s, when acts like Mayhem, Immortal and Emperor reigned as Kings. First emerging from the bowels of hell as a solo project showcasing the talents of architect Cameron Åhslund-Glass, the line up soon evolved with the desire to perform live and bring the fire and brimstone of old back to the modern era of Black Metal. Vocalist Andy Heathen, lead guitarist Daniel Dempster, rhythm guitarist Kacper Lewandowski and bassist Gareth Murdock were conscribed and so completed a vision for the band as a five piece, their first endeavour being “Beneath the Crimson Eclipse“…

…and from the very start of the record, the influences bleed through the bandages as the blasphemous tales of bedlam and anarchy are told in “The Furnace“. Soaked in blast beats and driven by frantic and frenetic riffage while being tinged with orchestration this one serves as a demonic warning to the minions of this Earth of a tyrant destine to rule. A powerhouse opening, it makes way for “Ways Of The Secular Flesh” as if the two were stitched together by an evil surgeon experimenting with other worldly rituals. A whirlwind of classic Black Metal that offers no rest for the wicked with a pace and energy to it that tears through the ear drums like a savage beast, it serves as confirmation of Heathen’s indignation at the World and all its citizens. It has to be said that the musicianship is incredible and the work of Kacper Lewandowski and James Reeve in engineering and production at Third Level Audio deserves a lot of credit to the point that “The Path Of Night” sounds like Cradle of Filth on steroids. An absolute pile driver of a song with a viciously barbed lyrical narrative about inner strength being all that is needed in this game of survival, it will have the capacity to tear the audience limb from limb when it is allowed to take its course in the live arena. “Dawn Of The Infernal Age” finds drummer Cameron Åhslund-Glass at his finest, the artillery shelling kit performance something that only a machine would be capable of reproducing. A break in the restless and relentlessness for a almost tribal passage companied by the sound of a ritual sacrifice is a moment of absolute magic, freeing the band from their straight jackets and allowing them to reach into the void of Extreme Metal. Just when you thought you had it figured out, another wave of terror comes crashing down in the title track “Beneath The Crimson Eclipse“, the band quite literally outdoing themselves once more in every possible way. Furiously vicious lyrically and making great use of layered vocals, this monster lives in the darkness, sharpening its teeth in wait for your flesh. Circle pits and European Festival tours await as these demons ascend to dominate the World… [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. The Furnace
2. Ways Of The Secular Flesh
3. The Path Of Night
4. Dawn Of The Infernal Age
5. Beneath The Crimson Eclipse

“Beneath the Crimson Eclipse” by Imperial Demonic is out 7th April 2023 via Black Lion Records with physical editions available for pre-order over at bandcamp