‘Mater Larvarum’ marks the sixth seal of the Deathless Legacy discography in the ghostliest way ever. Musically, the record ranges from classic heavy metal to gothic, symphonic and progressive metal, featuring sensual high and low female vocals and, as usual, some amazing atmospheric keyboards and orchestrations.
This time the story of the concept-album brings us in a world of feminine fierceness, creepy silences and shadows arising from the underground. It’s a velvet-like, sexy and frightening feeling – something so powerful to twist your soul and forever paint it black.
They start with Ora Pro Nobis (it’s Latin, but I have no clue about what it means). Monks are chanting and I hear clearly they are doing it in a church until the guitars shred them away and Steva starts to sing. I must say she has a good voice and the symphonic metal touch works well here! The end is the same as the beginning as if the beginning is also the end of the beginning.
Nightfall sounds a bit sweeter and almost goes like a ballad but has a dark and horror minded feel.
Hollow has an 80’s touch (Pat Benatar minded with a slice of metal) , a good tempo and a really cool sound mixed with great vocals! At some point I even get a cinematic feel (like in an expensive soundtrack production).
Fade Into The Dark gets more pathos, a piano and an epic feel. It’s simply a great track with (despite the title) a good feel.
The Coven opens with a symphonic metal touch and gets a high drive. Sometimes I feel like I hear a panther behind the mic. The chorus is catchy as hell!
Absolution goes for a mix of sweet, cheeky and symphonic metal. I feel this one could be single material!
Moonless Night has a nice retro touch and a cheesy and catchy feel. The song sounds like a false powered up ballad.
Queen Of The Infernal Patheon misses a bit of punch but is not bad at all. The focus is on the sweetness of the sound and the melodic approach.
Altar Of Bones mixes symphonic metal with a slow doom metal kind of a tempo. There is also a lot of sweetness in this song.
Run starts with exploding drums and a spooky touch, whilst the tempo is really high! I feel like this is the most aggressive song of the album! The backings give the song a sweet touch.
Mater Larvarum is the last track and also the title track. I can feel the pathos as it’s mixed like a master with the vocals and the symphonic metal sound. The spooky backings make it sound really cool. The lead guitar gives it a cool 80’s synth rock touch. It’s a great end for a really great album! Welldone!
Didn’t expect to review this one but I suddenly had the time to do it and now that it’s finished I don’t regret it at all as I really enjoyed this album! I might review their next album too (if I have the time). Scarlet Records is also known for delivering great albums on it’s roster and so they did as this is my last review for 2022 (and will be published in 2023).
DEATHLESS LEGACY is:
Steva - vocals
Sgt. Bones - guitar
Alex van Eden - keyboards
Deadwood Nick - bass
Frater Orion - drums
Revyla - performances
