Review: “Veils Of Transcendence” by Obscura Qalma

Having been born into an unforgiving World in Venice Italy in 2018, Obscura Qalma have risen like a phoenix from the ashes of From The Shores, As Memory Dies and Liyatan and built a reputation for themselves in what they have long described as Blackened heavily Orchestrated Death Metal. Rich in lyrical themes of Mysticism, Occultism, Death and Existentialism they have unleashed their wrath upon the planet with one EP in “From the Sheol to the Apeiron” and one full length album in “Apotheosis” as well as offering up orchestral versions of both in between times. In doing so they have found alchemy in combining the dark power of relentless Death Metal with the epic majesty of orchestra, both elements having becoming increasingly barbed with each record. Now they return with another moment of madness, once again conveying Aleister Crowley’s opera of death, destruction, plague and pestilence…

…with roots in dark ancient arts rather than their more modern interpretations Obscura Qalma create a cinematic assault on the senses with a more classical nature than other genre operatives like Lorna Shore or Draconian Reign and yet produce an equally soul stirring offering. Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Leopoldo “Sirus” Santoro puts the fear of God into the discerning listener with opening cut “Ophidian’s Enthronement“, his demonic prowess giving the brain third degree burns via the ear canals while drummer Carlo “Res” Ceron provides a covering artillery shelling. The orchestrations on this one bring to mind the “The Great Stone War” era Winds Of Plague with their ability to plunge us into a world with chinks of light shining through the apocalyptic black clouds and while they don’t overpower they are equally as significant a force as the rest of the production. That creates something both enthralling and captivating, the ethereal touches in the final moments simply jaw dropping. Adding fuel to a funeral pyre that has already reached an intense heat, “The Divine Malice Conflagration” finds the axe wielding duo providing some slick riffs and virtuoso leads to complement the punishing sounds of the end of humanities reign. Obscura Qalma create a tornado of souls with the magnitude of their sound, engulfing all that surround them in darkness as they torment with their deafening brutal power.

Equally as bone snapping as its predecessors “Enochian Abyss” hits with the scorn of a wrathful demon as deep chugged guitars burst into a flaming flamboyant solo, all the while soaked to the skin in cinematic orchestration. If anyone is looking for a group to create a soundtrack to a big screen summer blockbuster that depicts the end of the World, then these Gentlemen should be the first port of call. They have it nailed and this track, let alone this record is the only curriculum vitae needed in submission. Rounding off the collection with some some Meshuggah inspired riffs, “Hexed Katharsis” goes all out for blood in a final throw of the dice before self immolation. Embellished with a fleeting moment of industrial programming its actually one that feels like it cuts short and could easily go on for another verse and chorus without causing any trouble. A sublime collection of burnt offerings that bodes well for the next full length album, this one simply leaves you crying out for more! [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Ophidian’s Enthronement
2. The Divine Malice Conflagration
3. Enochian Abyss
4. Hexed Katharsis

“Veils Of Transcendence” by Obscura Qalma will be released on 2nd February 2024 via Dusktone with pre-orders available over at bandcamp.