1: Thus Beckons the Abyss () 2: Lowest Immanations () 3: Through Tunnels Ablaze () 4: In Ira Flammae Devoratur Qui Salvatur () 5: Black Flesh, Sulfur, and All in Between () 6: Writhing, Upturning, Succumbing () 7: Utterance of the Formless ()
Description:
"Cloven Tongues Of Fire" by The Ominous Circle is a CD that plunges deep into the shadows of contemporary death metal, offering a sound that is as oppressive as it is meticulously crafted. Across its tracks, the band forges a dense, cavernous atmosphere built on churning riffs, ominous melodies and a suffocating wall of sound that rewards close, repeated listening. The production emphasizes weight and depth without sacrificing clarity, allowing the intricately layered guitars, thunderous drums and cavernous vocals to unfold like a ritual in slow, relentless waves. The songwriting balances chaos and control: tempos shift from crushing mid-paced passages to blast-driven assaults, while subtle dissonances and eerie harmonies create a constant sense of unease and impending doom. This is a record aimed at listeners who seek an immersive, dark and authentically sinister take on extreme metal rather than superficial brutality.
As a complete work, "Cloven Tongues Of Fire" feels like a single, cohesive descent rather than a loose collection of songs. Each track builds on the previous one, weaving a narrative of spiritual decay, metaphysical horror and apocalyptic revelation without ever becoming clichéd. The band's command of dynamics - moments of near-silence, brooding build-ups and explosive climaxes - keeps the listener on edge and ensures that even the longest compositions remain gripping. Lyrically and atmospherically, the CD leans heavily into themes of occult mysticism and existential dread, framing the music as an almost liturgical experience drenched in darkness. For collectors and dedicated fans of underground death metal, this edition on CD is a definitive way to experience the album's carefully sculpted sound and artwork as a unified whole.
The Ominous Circle is a Portuguese extreme metal entity known for its obscure, ritualistic approach to death metal and its commitment to maintaining a shrouded, anonymous aura. Emerging from the underground with releases that quickly gained traction among connoisseurs of dark and atmospheric death metal, the band has been praised for blending traditional heaviness with a forward-thinking, ominous sound. Their work has earned recognition in specialized press and among fans of the more arcane side of the genre, positioning them as one of the noteworthy contemporary acts carrying the torch of sinister, cavernous death metal. Their discography, while not overly prolific, is marked by consistency in quality, atmosphere and artistic vision.
Osmose Records, the label behind this release, is a long-established and highly respected name in the extreme metal underground. Known for championing uncompromising black, death and related subgenres, Osmose has helped introduce and support numerous influential bands over the decades, building a catalog that is both deep and carefully curated. The label's philosophy has always favored artistic integrity and raw intensity over mainstream trends, which has earned it a loyal global following among fans and collectors. With "Cloven Tongues Of Fire," Osmose Records once again demonstrates its dedication to dark, boundary-pushing music, providing a fitting home for The Ominous Circle's intense and atmospheric vision and ensuring the CD is presented with the attention to detail that discerning listeners expect.
Metal
56.008
- Black Metal 3.563- Death Metal/Gothic 2.889- Doom Metal 1.002- Gothic 158- Gothic Metal 289- Grind Core 166- Hard Rock 8.938- Hardcore 2.422- Heavy Metal 32.012- New Metal 254- Power Metal 626- Rock Crossover 107- Thrash Metal 2.336Songwriter 3.440
