Doom Cult Commando are a German black metal band and this is their debut release.
Originally seeing the light back in January, Das Erwachen der Schlange is a 19-minute assault of raw black metal. Across four tracks, Doom Cult Commando reveal their iron grip on what it takes to make old-school Satanic black metal. The production is grim and raw, but not overly so, and the band weaponise this in their war against the light.
Opener Wie die Fleige zum Licht is merciless and barbaric, offering frozen aggression that’s forbidding. There’s a war metal influence, imbuing the material with a brutality that’s impactful. The band don’t neglect their atmospheric side though, delivering a funeral moodscape that’s harsh and oppressive. Think of a mix of Archgoat and Mayhem, and you’ll have a good idea of where we’re at here.
Geist ist Alles slows down the pace, at least initially, unleashing icy grooves and blackened melodies that showcase Doom Cult Commando’s second wave credentials. There is less of a war metal vibe on this song, although it certainly isn’t lacking in the blasting aggression department.
The next song is Nach den Regeln der Schlange Akt 1, which is the longest track here. It opens with a malevolent riff, before the brutal drums begin to pound and punish. The music essentially falls somewhere between that of the first and second songs stylistically, which is possibly why I probably like it the best. The brutal and the atmospheric come together well, with the cold darkness attacking the listener from both sides.
The final track – Menschenmüll – is a three-minute burst of intense brutality. The song wants you dead, and the growling vocals want to devour whatever remains. What I had assumed would be a pointless outro is anything but; Doom Cult Commando end the demo on a lethal high point.
I enjoyed Das Erwachen der Schlange very much. I like the music’s versatility within its chosen blackened framework, and there’s a good mix of ideas and influences on display. I look forward to wherever Doom Cult Commando go next.
Wonderbox Metal 