Deathspell Omega

Deathspell Omega
Origin	Poitiers, France
Genres	Black metal, progressive black metal, avant-garde
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Norma Evangelium Diaboli, Northern Heritage, End All Life

Deathspell Omega are a French black metal band. Their lyrical content deals primarily with Satanism on a metaphysical level – as the band has stated that "all other interpretations of Satan are intellectually invalid"^[1] – and other various theological topics. They have recently completed a series of three concept albums which focus on the theological aspects of God, Satan and man's relationship with the two. Some of their lyrical inspiration has come from the post-surrealist Georges Bataille^[1] as well as existentialist themes^[2].

Biography

Initially, Deathspell Omega produced raw, traditional black metal akin to Darkthrone's Transilvanian Hunger. However, their 2004 release, Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice, marked a change to a vastly more technical, experimental, and well-recorded sound featuring such musical influences as Russian Orthodox chanting and choral music.

The band's work after Si Monvmentvm Reqvires, Circvmspice has been even more experimental and technical, with the 5 tracks they released in 2005 – on Kénôse and a pair of splits – totaling nearly eighty minutes in length and actually exceeding the length of Si Monvmentvm Reqvires, Circvmspice. The second volume of the band's trilogy, Fas – Ite, Maledicti, in Ignem Aeternum, was released on July 16, 2007, outside the United States, and the following day within the United States, to considerable acclaim.^[3][4] The band released another EP in January 2009, entitled Veritas Diaboli Manet in Aeternum: Chaining the Katechon. The final album in the trilogy, Paracletus, was released by Norma Evangelium Diaboli and Season of Mist on 9 November 2010.^[5]

Very little is known about the members of Deathspell Omega, as the band doesn't have an official website and does not release information about their membership. However, they have given interviews over the years that explain more about their beliefs and ideology.

Discography

Studio albums

• Infernal Battles (2000)
• Inquisitors of Satan (2002)
• Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice (2004)
• Fas – Ite, Maledicti, in Ignem Aeternum (2007)
• Paracletus (2010)

Compilation albums

• Manifestations 2000–2001 (2008, Collection of material originally released on LP on the splits with Moonblood and Mütiilation and the Black Metal Blitzkrieg compilation)
• Manifestations 2002 (2008, Eight previously unreleased tracks, initially written for the Crushing the Holy Trinity compilation and a planned split with Cantus Bestiae)

EPs

• Kénôse (2005)
• Veritas Diaboli Manet in Aeternum: Chaining the Katechon (2008)
• Mass Grave Aesthetics (2008)
• Diabolus Absconditus (2011)

Split releases

• Clandestine Blaze / Deathspell Omega - Split (2001)
• Sob A Lua Do Bode / Demoniac Vengeance (2001, Split LP with Moonblood)
• Split with Mütiilation (2002)
• From the Entrails to the Dirt (Part III) (2005, Split LP with Malicious Secrets)
• Crushing The Holy Trinity (Part I: Father) (2005, V/A LP with Stabat Mater, Clandestine Blaze, Musta Surma, Mgła, and Exordium)
• Veritas Diaboli Manet in Aeternum (2008, Split EP with S.V.E.S.T.)

Demos

• Disciples of the Ultimate Void (1999, entire release is included as the final four tracks of the band's first album, Infernal Battles)

Compilation appearances

• "Black Crushing Sorcery" on Black Metal Blitzkrieg (2001, End All Life Productions)

Sources

1. ^ ^{a b} Interview with Deathspell Omega. Access date: May 15, 2011.
2. ^ http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles/rants/6-971_is_black_metal_coming_of_age.aspx
3. ^ Allmusic.com review
4. ^ #2 on Brandon Stosuy's Best of 2007 at Pitchfork Media's Show No Mercy
5. ^ "Paracletus' release date announced". Season of Mist. 2 September 2010. http://www.season-of-mist.com/news/detail/deathspell-omega-2010-09-02. Retrieved 4 September 2010. 

External links

• Allmusic biography
• MusicMight biography