Baxaxaxa – De Vermis Mysteriis (Review)

Baxaxaxa are a German black metal band and this is their second album.

Featuring members of Runespell and Ungod, Baxaxaxa play black metal with sinister atmosphere and wicked groove. De Vermis Mysteriis contains 41 minutes of atavistic blackened character.

De Vermis Mysteriis is steeped in cloaked darkness and reeks of deathly auras. With songwriting that’s well-realised, the band’s mystical presence speaks of an infernal evil powering the songs. Mainly built from time worn and effective materials, Baxaxaxa do very well to make such an old black metal style sound fresh and engaging.

Steeped in the mysteries of times gone past, De Vermis Mysteriis is the sort of record that is easy to enjoy if you like your old-school black metal, yet stands out for its keenly developed personality and wide selection of choice riffs and grim atmospheres. Yes, this is music that absolutely drips with old-school magnetism. De Vermis Mysteriis exists during the second wave of the 90s, yet there’s an influence from the first wave that can be felt in the confident swagger of many of the mid-paced riffs and the rhythms of some of the vocals.

Speaking of the vocals; the singer has a ton of charisma, and his performance is notable. Baxaxaxa have a very strong musical package overall, with interesting riffs and esoteric moods aplenty, but they’re also blessed with the type of vocalist who has an instantly compelling delivery. With backing vocals that are very capable too, it’s all good stuff.

The very satisfyingly named Baxaxaxa have produced an album that is as enjoyable as it is well-crafted. Of course, there’s a rather pointless interlude track, because almost every band seems to have them, but other than that De Vermis Mysteriis has a lot to offer discerning fans of ancient black metal.

This is a record for true connoisseurs of the style.

Very highly recommended.