Review: “Imperial Might” by Cyclops Cataract

Hailing from Aberdeen Scotland, since 2018, Blackened Death Metal quintet Cyclops Cataract have been troubling us with tales of mythological creatures and Scottish folklore. 2020 saw the arrival of the bands debut EP “Swallow The World” which showed fantastic promise before 2021 saw that fulfilled with full length debut album “The Bestiary“. That arrived via Planet K Records with bassist Mark Robertson, drummer Chris Wilkie, guitarist James Dron (Bisongrass), vocalist Craig Sinkins alongside guitarist and keyboard player Scott Hogg (I Don’t Do Drugs, I Am Drugs) receive critical acclaim for their fresh lyrical concepts, chilling atmospherics and crushing sounds. Three years on they return with “Imperial Might“, an album soaked to the bone in themes of War and Annihilation…

The Imperial Death March begins with the perpetual forward motion of the majestic “Marching Forward“, an instrumental introduction piece of soaring guitars that create something epic and intriguing in a way which most seldom achieve. There is also a divine almost music box like quality in the final moments which later surfaces in the punishing “Fearful Existence“, an opening track proper that finds Sinkins delivering some frightening beastly vocals. Robertson adds a bass solo that gives us a little funk flair and perhaps shows a little Devin Townsend influence, the epic grandeur of the hellish soundscape almost reminiscent of the kind of opulence that Imperial Triumphant purvey. Those harsh vocals push against the grain somewhat but they are a critical cog in the wheel of the big machine and have a value never to be underestimated. Rising from the ashes “Peace Written In Blood” offers a little orchestration as those bowel clenching gravelly lows trouble the cerebral cortex, the quirky, delicate and intricate walk through the seven gates of hell a nightmarish vision that will have you gripping the pillow tight. Disrupting the eerie keyboards with blast beats and brutal down tuned riffs works incredibly well, the band allowing the extremes within their sound to push out in creative splendour without fear of reprisal.

Clever vocal layering gives the impression of a pair of vocalists snapping at each other like duelling beasts as “Praying for the End of the World” takes shape, the unclean range of Sinkins impressing to dramatic effect. Floating down stream on a river of blood in Progressive Blackened Death Metal, this one confirms the bands ascension to the upper echelons of what the genre has to offer. Its clear that a lot of thought has gone into the composition of these tracks, each one offering movements in light and shade that is enthralling to say the least. There are 1970’s science fiction sounds wrapped around passages of thunderous brutality in “Regressive” that are absolutely sublime, a celebration of eclectic ideas and furious passion as Cyclops Cataract tread where Gods fear to. Title track “Imperial Might” drives deeper into Blackened Death Metal darkness with the kind of impeccable musicianship that others would kill for on their albums. Death growls and down tuned riffs are embellished by synths in moderation, the malevolence of the tale nothing short of spellbinding. It should probably go without saying that “Lesson in Brutality” does exactly what it says on the tin, a punishment beating in black with another caustic vocal performance at its heart. A cut with a haunting keyboard melody and some of the harshest vocals on the album, it maintains the flow of the album nicely before the introduction of almost ethnic sounds in “The Fall“. Restless and relentless percussive battery from Wilkie makes for arguably his stand out performance on the album, the spin juddering moments counteracted by some truly haunting ones.

Embracing some more of a melodic approach “Breaking the Earth” will find audiences swaying like marionettes to the pied pipers tune. Sinkins vocals become the single heaviest element in a tune that is wonderfully bizarre with more twists and turns than a page turning horror novel from the dime store. There is a cinematic quality to this one as if it’s been stolen from Steven Spielberg as he directs something written in blood by Stephen King, the performance equally as spellbinding as it is destructive. Yes, that word again. Little nuances rise from the mix over multiple listens to “Mobilising Their Might“, an instrumental of immense power soaked in Death Metal guitars and embellished with rich synths. Another with a dark, low budget 1980’s science fiction film soundtrack feel, it would be equally at home in something directed by John Carpenter as it is here. A nine minute magnum opus of a tune, “Barbarossa” is the code name for a World War II invasion and is the ultimate demonstration of power from a band in their element. Well rounded, it includes all the elements that have appeared separately elsewhere on the record and is very much a tour de force of what Cyclops Cataract are all about. Driving percussive battery, bombastic bass lines, savage plague winds of vocals and staccato riff breaks soaked in a bleak atmosphere are accompanied by divine melodies and haunting touches that paint a picture of pure horror. Remember, Death is only the beginning [9/10]

Track Listing

1. Marching Forward
2. Fearful Existence
3. Peace Written in Blood
4. Praying for the End of the World
5. Regressive
6. Imperial Might
7. Lesson in Brutality
8. The Fall
9. Breaking the Earth
10. Mobilising Their Might
11. Barbarossa

“Imperial Might” by Cyclops Cataract is out 18th November 2024