‘To Whom The Bell Tolls! ‘A term often (mis)used in music and literature alike.1 Metal, specifically, latched on to this foreboding and ominous sound of doom as if it were Satan’s Tit. And earnestly, who can resist the Roar ov Wrath emanating from those frayed belltowers? Black Sabbath and AC/DC are most fondly remembered for prominently ‘ringing the bell’ anywhere on the globe some eons ago.
But, the Black Metal community took the plague bell theme to the next level. The harbinger of doom and damnation, sounding like the echos of the Daemon’s mighty footsteps solemnly waltzing into your direction. A warning to be heeded with sanctuary only possible in the hollowed grounds a church provides. But does that really work? I hope you’ll never have to find out.
And the Australians of Christ Dismembered did just that. Ov Vampiricy famously takes off to the sound of the terrible bell, complete with the sound of a raging storm, harried footsteps, and some ritual in process. A mourning sound calling the creatures of the night to harass the living. Dinner will be served for the infamous succubus in the blood-filled candy shop humanity has become. And – perhaps – the record would be this perfect backdrop for the last Nosferatu movie, should you care to watch it without sound. And this might even improve this shitty little reel some. Just sayin’.
The record itself rides in on good ol’ tropes of traditional Black Metal. Steeped in the diabolic fire of the church-burning squad and addicted to the lore of the Dark Lord. Further, the band stated to be – and I quote – “…chief advocates of apostasy and servants of the beast.” And that’s impossible. To become one of the Lightbringer’s infamous little soldiers, you need to get with the bible first. You can be advocates all day long, true, but apostasy is nowhere in it. It’s all intertwined.2
Be this as it will, the RMR crew much enjoyed the meaty yet typical riffs, merciless rasps and snarls, and pretty stellar drum work that will stand the test of time for once. You see, Black Metal bands often take a lackadaisical approach to drumming with a lot of their stuff veering dangerously off-kilter. But not for Christ Dismembered and that next-level drumming spree on full display.
Ov Vampiricy also sports a lot of the attributes modern French Black Metal loudly touts these days. And that’s one of the major brownie points of this piece, by the way. Only that their lyrics aren’t in French but in Australian English. Who would have thought that possible? Yet, Christ Dismembered offer an unusually lusty pace for their Black Metal. Superior riffing with enough melody to please modern metalheads’ ears meet down in the pit lyrics delivered with gusto and an affinity to tell dark tales.
Need an example? Fire up the combo The Numbers Oppose You / Under the Cross. The former goes for stellar riffing and drumming from hell, whereas the latter excels with a short albeit snazzy solo. Moreover, the band indeed masters storytelling akin to what Carach Angren usually produces. Yet, the truly proficient rasps and snarls are mostly unintelligible. And that kinda defeats the purpose of using elaborate lyrics. But who am I, right?
Finally, Ov Vampiricy delivered a sturdy, down-to-hell piece of traditional Black Metal studded with ominously glowing nuggets modern damnation will deliver. It is difficult to write and deliver a decent Black Metal album in such an overloaded genre. But these Australians managed to get our attention with a terrifying slab of well-paced Extreme Metal nonetheless. A piece imbued with a refreshingly dark energy and animated by the unforgiving wrath of the Dark Lord. What else could we ask for, right? So, tear at that rope, and do it hard. The terrible voice of the bell needs to be heard by the peasants and Lords alike. Blood-sucking evil is afoot, and it will roll over you like a fearsome black tidal wave. So, run for that next church, eat the dust, and scream for that flimsy sanctuary. If there’s still time, that is.
Ed’s note: The record successfully made it onto our 2025 malevolent list. Congrats!
Record Rating: 7/10 | Label: Self-Released | Web: Official Band Site
Release Date: 25 February 2025
- And no, it ain’t Hemingway who coined the term first. John Donne did so prominently long before 1940 was even thought of. In a famous poem, back in 1624. Take that, you Yanks. -Ed.-↩
- The definition means refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith. By embracing the Christian underworld, you just move to another facet of that faith. Oh, and we don’t give a fuck what the Catholic Church thinks. -Ed.-↩