Review: “Ophidic Gnosis” by Verba Serpentis (2nd Anniversary)

Originally formed as a duo by vocalist and guitarist Achlycet and drummer Tenebris who were both members of Schänder, Austrian Black Metal outfit Verba Serpentis rose to prominence with their debut “Ophidic Gnosis” in 2024. Mixed and mastered by Stefan Traunmüller (Across a Blackened Sky, Cercle du Chêne, Nocturne) at Soundtempel Studio, Freilassing Germany, adorned by artwork by Indonesian artist Serpentchron (Amorphous, Incinerated, Serpent Corpse) and a logo from Manuel Scapinello Illustration (Hideous Divinity, Mors, Celestial Bloodshed), that record would see them become a four piece waging war on Europe. Underestimate them at your peril.

For this record Achlycet and Tenebris are joined by Malphas who provides guitars and backing vocals, bassist Somnifer part of the covenant for 2026 EP “Torchbearers“. Laying own the gauntlet, opening cut “Leviathan” is a classic Black Metal affair of occult themes, surging skull rattling blast beats and tremolo picking from calloused hands. As you might expect from a band who take their name from the Latin for “words of the serpent“, the creature is a reoccurring figure in the lyrical narratives, something which gives the record an over arching theme as well as an air of continuity. “Monuments of Dust” threatens to push into Extreme Metal territory, the morbid and miserable tale of apocalyptic doom a potent statement from the shadow of intent. There is an air of “Atramentvm” era Theotoxin about this one, the trio enthralling over the near six minute duration as they demonstrate second wave of Black Metal mastery.

The interplay between the guitars on “Purging Fire Ritual” is incredible, the hummable tune one that gets inside your head before taking up residency. As a track it has an electric energy about it, the Scandinavian rooted melancholia intertwining nicely with the punchier moments as the blast beat engine is kept running. There is a dungeon crawling maddening to “Satan’s Eye” which conjures images of Eye of Sauron as the terrifying, all seeing entity. It many not be the most refined piece on here, falling just that little bit short of the epic majesty of a couple of the other tunes but its certainly one of the more engaging. The rougher edges add a charm, as do the death growled vocal parts on the wrathful grand finale that is “Conjuring the Legions“. How they manage to balance melody with ferocity so well is a mystery but they do so masterfully while offering a deliberately raw edged sound. A little bit of technical sophistication goes a long way… [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Leviathan
2. Monuments of Dust
3. Purging Fire Ritual
4. Satan’s Eye
5. Conjuring the Legions

“Ophidic Gnosis” by Verba Serpentis is out 12th October 2024 via Kvlt und Kaos Productions