This is the twelfth album from French one-man black metal band Esoctrilihum.
It’s always a pleasure to get a new Esoctrilihum release. If you’re familiar with the artist’s past work, (such as 2018’s Pandaemorthium (Forbidden Formulas to Awaken the Blind Sovereigns of Nothingness), 2021’s Dy’th Requiem for the Serpent Telepath, 2022’s Consecration of the Spiritüs Flesh, 2023’s Astraal Constellations of the Majickal Zodiac, or 2024’s Döth-Dernyàlh), you’ll know that you never quite know quite what to expect from this prolific and idiosyncratic artist. What does the 87-minute Ghostigmatah – Spiritual Rites of the Psychopomp Abxulöm have in store for us?
Interestingly, this new record offers up a well-rounded summary of the Esoctrilihum experience thus far, taking strengths from the range found across the multitude of albums that the artist has unleashed upon the world. The base is one of aggressive black metal, augmented by darkened death metal, and enriched with elements from the symphonic, atmospheric, experimental, avant-garde, and psychedelic styles.
Yes, it’s a long album, but it’s a rewarding one too. The music is harsh and confrontational, but also rich in mood and detailing. The songs are bathed in esoteric ambience and sinister, otherworldly auras, allowing the artist to explore everything from feral ferocity to hypnotic atmospheric immersion.
A variety of instruments have gone into the creation of Ghostigmatah – Spiritual Rites of the Psychopomp Abxulöm, and each uses these and the various stylistic influences to craft dark journeys into the outer reaches. The songwriting marries arcane worldbuilding with mood-focused dynamics, letting the writing shape the music through feeling and atmospheric scope. The blistering brutality on display is withering, yet equally potent is the ability to build majestic soundscapes that haunt and terrorise the listener. They’re not mutually exclusive either, and frequently the scathing intensity is paired with infernal grandeur, producing music that touches the darkness within. At others, they’re rightfully separated, revelling in their individual impact.
Psychedelic explorations, abyssal doom, folk enrichments, and other textures and layers can all be found across the album, revealing the breadth of skill that the artist behind the band can call upon. The mix of fierce brutality, ritualistic darkness, obscure presence, inscrutable structuring, enchanting synths, and emotive vision is a compelling one, albeit one that’s resolutely of niche appeal. For me, Esoctrilihum continue to hit the right balance, and Ghostigmatah – Spiritual Rites of the Psychopomp Abxulöm is an abstruse success.
The album is raw, dense, and willingly impenetrable, inviting only the most hardened of cosmic travellers to partake of its wares. If you’re a fan of bands along the lines of the following – Dødheimsgard, Midnight Odyssey, Oranssi Pazuzu, Panopticon, Paysage D’Hiver, The Ruins of Beverast, Spectral Lore – then make sure you spend time with Esoctrilihum’s latest.
Very highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 