Review: “Ars Aurea Mortis” by Mascharat

As with its predecessor, “Ars Aurea Mortis” (from the Latin: “The Art of Golden Death“) is a concept record from Milanese Black Metal outfit Mascharat entirely focused on the theme of the transformation of matter according to the principles of alchemy and Western esotericism. There are four central songs in “Rubedo“, “Albedo“, “Citrinitas” and “Rubedo“, representing the four original stages of the transformation, corresponding in chemistry to the processes of decomposition, distillation, combustion and sublimation that lead to the creation of gold. A dialogue with an emblematic and omnipresent figure rooted in the tradition of Venetian carnival masks accompanies these pieces, linked together in a progressive soundscape…

Our journey down the left hand path begins with the ominously cinematic sounds of “Intro“, a piano accompanied by orchestration building a sense of foreboding epic grandeur before  “Re Mida” rises from the black depths. Burning with the traditions of the past, the first verse is pure venom, fire and brimstone as blood splitting vocals and restless and relentless percussion wages war upon the skull. However there is more to this than meets the ear, as the soundscape for the apocalypse fades for a folk metal inspired acoustic bridge before rising once more. Tremolo picked guitars offer a sinister and malevolent accompaniment to the caustic chants that are nothing short of mesmerising over this six minute surpassing occult ritual. As you might expect “Negredo” offers blood from the same vein, racing percussive patterns and reverb warning of something evil lurking in the shadows. Again, another fleeting acoustic moment offers a light in the dark but once again all hope is snuffed out like the flame of a candle by the ghosts of midnight with the enveloping mists of time. Poised and powerful the Black Metal rhythms flow hypnotically, leaving the discerning listener swaying like a marionette basking in the glory of the passionate intensity of the composition. “Albedo” offers a dance macabre of the highest order, nuances rising from the mix with each repeated listen as the blood curdling banshee wails warn of evil spirits. Enthralling and captivating the piece demonstrates what can be achieved with dedication to craft over decades whilst having one singular vision.

There is an almost hypnotic quality to the sinister soundscape of “Citrinitas” with its caustic, rasping vocals and twisted dark melodies as if you’re staring into the eyes of the serpent that offered Eve the poison apple in the garden of Eden. That spell is broken by some flamenco styled acoustic guitars in a melodic break that sends a shiver down the spine; its like witnessing an occult ritual taking place before the chanted vocals return and the instrumentation races away to the four corners of the globe with the plague winds. That serves to stir the soul before the melancholia of “Rubedo” takes shape, the soundscape one befitting of a psychological horror movie. It has to be said that the harsh whispered vocal moments on this one are particularly chilling, the glorious depth and texture to the instrumentation of each song capturing the imagination as they play out. Arguably the finest percussive performance is on “Lapis“, which has at its bitter black heart a scathing, scalding vocal performance that will leave you wondering if you’ve just heard cries from beyond the grave. As with the first piece from this collection, the grand finale that is “Outro” offers up malevolent piano as if warning of a violent storm coming… [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Intro
2. Re Mida
3. Negredo
4. Albedo
5. Citrinitas
6. Rubedo
7. Lapis
8. Outro

“Ars Aurea Mortis” by Mascharat is out 31st January 2026 via Remparts Productions