Gnosis - Omens from the Dead Realm

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The USA extreme Metal scene is based in Death Metal bands, especially from Florida. It’s clear that MORBID ANGEL, OBITUARY, DEICIDE, CANNIBAL CORPSE and others became a strong driving force into the genre throughout the world. The same appears in Black Metal, as ABSU, BLOODSTORM, AVERSE SEFIRA and others helped to improve things there. But it’s extremely rare to hear a Death/Black Metal band from the USA. So GNOSIS’ work is kind of unusual for the country, and that means that some surprises can be heard on “Omens from the Dead Realm”, their latest release.

They have an Old School approach on Death/Black Metal, heavily influenced by names as SARCÓFAGO, HOLOCAUSTO, BEHERIT and others in this same way, but with something inherited from early Greek Black Metal (especially from the triad VARATHRON, NECROMANTIA and ROTTING CHRIST). But something from North American extreme Metal Schools enter their music, creating a personal approach. It’s brutal and rough, but with a careful insight on the musical arrangements that is natural for USA bands (from any Metal genres you can think off). The guttural grunts lay (with some clean choirs, as can be heard on “Typhlotic Visions”) on a strong instrumental basis (even some keyboards parts are heard in some moments, as in “Excite the Tempest”). It’s nothing new, but’s very good, brutal and with a massive energy coming from the speakers.

Fernando “Ferny” Coipel did the mixing, and Diego Angee took care of the recording sessions, all to make “Omens from the Dead Realm” have the right sonority: brutal, crude and aggressive, but in a way that’s defined and can be understood by anyone, although in some moments the instrumental tunes create a sensation of something ‘hollow’. It could be better, but’s good for now. Oh, yes: the guests of the album are C.R.C. (former member of the band) on the guitars on “Apzu, Sea of Death”, Stefan Necroabyssious (the vocalist of mighty VARATHRON) on the vocals of “The Eleventh Step, the Gate Unknown”, and Wampyrion Markhor Necrowolf (of FUNERAL STORM) on the vocals on “Omens from the Dead Realm”.

Their music has that essential brutal appeal for the fans of the genre, especially on songs as “Conjuration of the Nemesis” (a simple and aggressive song, but with some good rhythmic structures that are unusual, what means that a good work was done by bass guitar and drums), “Typhlotic Visions” (where some of their Hellenic Black Metal influences can be heard, especially on the slow moments and on the guitar parts), “Excite the Tempest” (the use of some keyboards and guitars on the slow parts as can be heard is a very useful feature that fits on their music), “Apzu, Sea of Death” (this slow approach is really great, and the band knows how to use them), “The Eleventh Step, the Gate Unknown” (some melodies and catchy elements used by the guitars, along with keyboards, are creating fine contrasts for the vocals snarls), and “Omens from the Dead Realm”. But for an extreme Metal fan, their work will be easy to absorb as it deserves, because “Omens from the Dead Realm” is an album easy to be heard and liked.

For now, GNOSIS did a fine work on “Omens from the Dead Realm”, but their talent is far beyond this point. Yes, the fans can expect more of them, but for now, enjoy this darkened offering they’re giving.

Songwriting: 9
Musicianship: 8
Memorability: 8
Production: 7