Seraphim System - Luciferium

While Seraphim System's involvement on the industrial-metal opera that was Rave the Reqviem's The Gospel of Nil was one of many highlights of the year I find it shocking that the bass monster that is John Stancil has shifted tones from his roots in electronic music to full out industrial metal mayhem on his latest album Luciferium. Though shocking it may be for myself and many of his other followers who have paid close attention to his works throughout the past couple of years, I am always for change if the product delivered at least surpasses or equals one's older endeavors. I find myself on the side of the fence that says John Stancil AKA BL4KJ4K's latest album is his best work to date. 

Luciferium released towards the end of November via DWA. The record label was sure to go all in on this release as they put out not only a Digipack CD, but five different 7" Vinyl that led up to the release of Luciferium. Each vinyl contained two tracks and should you have been one of the lucky bastards that got all five of the records you received a free bonus 7" with extra tracks alongside a patch. Since one of the 7" has already sold out, I'll have to settle for the digipack in the near future. 

Luciferium kicks right off with the track 'Destroyer' which will obliterate your ears with harsh walls of heavy and noisy electronics and ripping guitar riffs. Those used to Seraphim System's trademark robotic vocals will be in awe that BL4KJ4K is able to scream so well. 'Oblivion' continues the chaos as kickdrums pound away and tech-elements scatter in the background of the song. The creeping vocals on 'Legion' reminded me of Dawn of Ashes during a la Anathema; the atmosphere of the song spoke unto me wicked things, and the track moved between those moody moments and the screaming bits we've heard in the past two tracks. 

'Panzram' has a decent one minute opener that led into elongated industrial metal riffs, samples, anger, and Hellish screaming. The mostly instrumental track 'Undoing' is a wickedly savvy track that showcases Stancil's creativity and spontaneity with his electronic meets metal persona. However, crank open the floodgates because 'Serpent' brought back in a tide of metal led by sneering guitars. 'Morningstar' blasted in with perfectly paced kickdrums and fleshed out beats. Bringing out gritty industrial influences in terms of background noise and puncture, 'Chaos' is a true instrumental that knows no bounds other than termination. 'Chaos' took cinematic industrial elements and placed them alongside the grittier, moodier sound of Seraphim System for a puncturing track. 'Beast' slowly creeped along my skin with slow moving electronic pieces with robotic vocals only to punch me in the face when the screaming, metal centric moments pushed through. 'Alive' is the final track on the album and it sent me off so well. The industrial metal is strong with this one, and Seraphim System has proven it all on this album alone. 

And though this cataclysmic year is coming to an end shortly there is still time to find delights in music I have not yet listened to. Seraphim System's Industrial Metal masterpiece Luciferium is one such piece that I now adore and I'm sure there will be plenty of other material for myself to discover in the next day and a half. But, for now, all eyes are on this champ for creating such a grinding album that will wreck everyone's expectations. Two thumbs up for Seraphim System!
Dec 30 2016