Review: “Relapse Into Submission” by Duisternis

Back in February of this year debut EP “Unity Unto None” crawled out from the catacombs of Glasgow Scotland as the virgin sacrifice from Duisternis. A studio project in Black Metal which takes its name from the Dutch noun for “the darkness” (the adjective duister meaning “dark” or “evil and usually secret“), it serves as a vessel to allow vocalist and multi instrumentalist Chris Howell to bring his nightmarish visions to life in cathartic release. Ten months after that debut EP the wanderer returns. Under his arm, a debut album in “Relapse Into Submission” which may not be described as a concept record but has a lyrical focus on the demise of mankind and how people are unable to cope with depression, anxiety and addiction. After Howell described the project as “music to ease the souls of the wicked”, the second no doubt bleak and harrowing chapter begins here.

Blurring the lines between sub-genres with synths and eerie effects this first short in the dark from Duisternis is the beginning of a disturbing new journey down the left hand path. A creepy science fiction horror introduction ushers in “Seductive Addiction” as if it were the bastard child of Rob Zombie and Burzum, a delicate spoken word sample fading into the background as the scalding vocals burn the ear canals with acid bile. Industrially tinged percussive battery bursts forth before descending into something a little more groove laden as a bombastic bass line is accompanied by an eclectic solo. A cold as ice the track disappears leaving you wondering if you have just heard a glitch in the matrix from a banshee trapped between realms. Raw and visceral “Spare The Blood Of The Damned” rises from the black depth with classic Black Metal riffs before descending into twisted melodies, a whispered vocal passage building into a spitting, snarling madness.

Before the men in white coats carrying a straight jacket to take Howell off to a padded cell to spend the rest of his days rocking quietly back and forth on a permanent acid trip, “Decline Of The Ages” offers something more refined. A breakneck speed riff and blast beat orientated cut with a ridiculous beat per minute count, it cuts through the cranium like a chainsaw instrumentally while pulling the vocals kicking and screaming with it. If Ministry did Black Metal you can bet your bottom dollar it would sound like this. Slowing things down dramatically, the title track “Relapse Into Submission” gently rests on the knife edge between sanity and madness. Whispers contrast throat splitting roars as disturbing melodies play out, keeping the discerning listener on the edge of their seat in the process. If Steven King needs someone to provide music to inspire his next page turning novel of supernatural horrors, Chris Howell has his back.

After that disturbance in the force the blistering “Darkest Desires” roars out of hells gate like a demon set on destruction. After a pummelling first verse the groove laden bass rises to the surface offering fleeting respite before the white noise in the background once again creates an oppressive atmosphere that sucks the oxygen out of the room. The music between the layers of violent turbulence is there to be heard however it may take a little focus for it to present itself. A piano introduction to “Refrain From Mind” changes the frame before big riffs from the 80’s Industrial Metal era step forth, smashed to oblivion after a few seconds by punishing Black Metal as the shape shifting Duisternis twist and distort. The mid section is brutal, a howling plague wind of percussive thunder wrapping around a storm of industrial noise with a vice like grip. That fades before rising again later on, the transition between the passages masterfully conjured.

Just when you thought you had it all figured out, another wave of terror comes crashing down with “Exist Not To Live” which has the most piercingly ferocious vocals on the record. Both scathing and scalding they are chemically enhanced by swathes of haunting synths as big riffs and a drum machine in overdrive push the limits of your imagination to the edge of the abyss. An evolution from humble beginnings in Black Metal there can be no question that Duisternis has grown into an Extreme Metal beast of hideous divinity with this burnt offering. In truth this one has more in common Zebadiah Crowe than anything else as the final evil moment that is “Crowned With Filth” confirms. Cunningly vicious it splits the skull like a hatchet and yet bizarrely has a couple of moments of earworm riffage that will stain your mind. Nothing will prepare you for this. [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Seductive Addiction
2. Spare The Blood Of The Damned
3. Decline Of The Ages
4. Relapse Into Submission
5. Darkest Desires
6. Refrain From Mind
7. Exist Not To Live
8. Crowned With Filth

“Relapse Into Submission” by Duisternis is out 2nd December 2024 and is available over at bandcamp