Sunday 17 April 2016

Ocultum - Ceremonia Oculta Primitiva (Album Review)


Release date: April 20th 2015. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Ceremonia Oculta Primitiva – Tracklisting

1.Nausea y Oracion 09:14
2.The Faceless King 09:56
3.Marasmo 06:05
4.Tumba de Siglos 08:27
5.Black River 06:18
6.Ceremonia Oculta Primitiva 06:56
7.E.N.D. 10:43

Band Members:

Seba – Vocals/Guitar
Lautaro - Guitar
Pablo - Bass
Raúl Valenzuela - Drums

Review:

Ocultum's debut album was originally released last year but somehow it passed me by. I've been asked by Raul (on multiple occasions) to review the album. So here is my review of Ceremonia Oculta Primitiva.

Ceremonia Oculta Primitiva is dirty sludge ridden slab of Doom/Stoner Metal with harsh vocals to match. This style of music is a common theme within the South American Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal scene and the guys don't break any new ground with this release. What they do offer is a heavy and pulsating listen from start to finish. Taking influence from the more heavier and influential bands of the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal scene. Ocultum's music has a vast psychedelic feel and the vocals give this album a real menacing feel.

The songs are not your standard 3 or 4 minute fast-paced numbers, nope – Ocultum create songs that last between 7 to 10 minutes in length. It allows the band to create heavy nightmarish sounds where the guitars are down-tuned low and the bass guitar has a menacing chainsaw effect. If you like your music played at a slow pace but with plenty of heavy distorted atmospheric noises then this album is for you.

All of the songs have a constant array of depressing sludge riffs but the band show hints of originality from time to time especially where they unleash a more straight-forward stoner riff. It's quite a stark contrast from the heavier sounds Ocultum creates . Though I do have some issues with the album. The production for one is sloppy in places. Parts of the album sound fantastic but there are other parts where you can hardly hear the instruments being played. Instead more focus is given to the vocals than the instruments themselves. Don't let that minor criticism put you off as Ocultum's debut album is a superb album overall.

Standout tracks have to be: The Faceless King, Tumba de Siglos and Black River.

If you want something to FUCK UP YOUR WORLD for 60 minutes or so then look no further as Ceremonia Oculta Primitiva will leave you in a world of pain and I mean that as a compliment.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

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