Given that there’s a heatwave so severe that it was still close to ninety degrees well after sundown, it’s the most appropriate time of the year to review yet another Black Metal record from somewhere in Europe (Slovakia to be exact).

Given the assignment of Ceremony of Silence’s Hálios (Willowtip Records) it was of the utmost importance to prepare adequately. Ran a cold shower, cranked the air conditioner, and downed a forty-ounce bottle of premium American malt liquor, Steel Reserve.

What was learned? Well for one thing if I continue to tackle decent to middle-of-the-road black Metal, I may develop a drinking problem. That and when will extreme metal frontmen finally realize that their lyrical gold or concepts don’t translate well when their vocals are indecipherable and take up so much space in the mix?

The record label made sure to include this line in the link: “The immutable light of the Universe, our fundamental inherent nature, and a bridge to the mythical time.” Which I guess is supposed to lay down some groundwork on what to expect on Hálios, but to the average person this reads like the ramblings of a Philosophy major who just discovered the joys of psychedelic drugs. The message becomes less clear when vocalist Neplex’s singular setting is sounding like a concussed bear. 

Elsewhere drummer Matúš S. Ďurčík and guitarist Viliam Pilarčík show considerable chops but are constrained by refusing to leave the sandbox of black metal convention. Ďurčík operates at machine-level efficiency and speed, but Pilarčík is left holding the bag since he just has to tremolo pick until the cows come home. Pilarčík does get his flowers sparingly, particularly on the blitzing ‘Serpent Slayer’ which comes to a close with some lead guitar work that is surprising yet totally welcome. 

So please excuse me while I return to my malt liquor and meditate on our place in the universe or the mythology of wearing a bullet belt. 

Buy the album here:
https://ceremonyofsilence.bandcamp.com/album/h-lios

6 / 10
HANS LOPEZ