MYSTAGOGUE - And The Darkness Was Cast Out Into the Wilderness
Vendetta Records
This release originally came out back in the summer of 2019. The sole reason I'm writing about it now is because it's yet another side project by GNAW THEIR TONGUES mainman Mories (aka: Maurice De Jong). I've been a fan of the man's work since 2008. So seeing this is a brand new project, it's Dutch black metal and he's paired with another musician finally, I had to check it out.
For starters Mories is still in charge of the vocals plus stringed instruments (guitar and bass) as well as the synths which are not too prevalent on here. As far as the drum work goes he's enlisted Wessel Damiaen who is also part of the Dutch experimental black metal scene in the band LASTER. So since now you know the players you've probably got it all figured out this is going to sound. Well you would be WRONG!
MYSTAGOGUE is far from being an experimetal band. For starters this is eight tracks which don't even touch the thirty minute mark. Musically this is straight up atmospheric black metal, yeah what a shocker for these guys previous outputs. Secondly it's damm good. The insanity and torment of which Mories' vocal style is in full on here. The song structures are elevated to this grand macabre symphony.
This is one of those releases which you need to keep playing over and over because you just don't want it to stop. For a while now I've made the point that some bands who push the whole atmospheric black metal style just waste time. They turn a good half hour's worth of music into an over hour long snore fest. On here the tracks are short and song structures are blasting with plenty of melodies utilized to carry you along.
Of course since this is Mories' project you can expect a sad and tragic affair with some hope in the end. And The Darkness Was Cast Out Into the Wilderness is an amazing release. Now I've gotta check out the new GNAW THEIR TONGUES release. Well maybe I'll wait a week.
https://vendettarecords.wordpress.com/
https://mystagogue1.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/Mystagogue-356393981864414/
