Rating: 7.0

Country: Poland

Release Date: 2007

Record Label: Self-released

Track list:
1. Dislocation
2. Uberrealistic Sun in Visibility (Aquatic Cubism)
3. Mercury's Sigillum
4. Menstrual Heroin

Total Playing Time: 24:32

Band Website: Mord'a'Stigmata

Mord'a'Stigmata - Uberrealistic (Promo Version)

Coen - Vocals
Guido - Guitar
Wouter - Guitar
Sven - Bass
Frank - Drums

This promo consists of one-third of Mord'a'stigmata's latest and largest self-released offering. Before you get a chance to digest the ostentatious title of the second track, the band's main inspiration announces itself loudly as Mayhem's controversial Grand Declaration of War. Hellhammer's kickdrum purr and doubled Maniac vocals (both spoken and snarled) surround a sub-mid-paced bellicose chord march. Whispers are matched with eerie background arpeggios before blasting commences under high and low droning guitars. A sinister bass-led lullaby breaks the chaos before the cycle restarts.

"Mercury's Sigillum", arguably the most creative song presented here, uses guttural vocals (with some great drawn-out growls) in the former half. Again, threatening drones are used to harmonised with main riffs, getting quite odd under a spoken part due to overlapping guitars that create structured chaos in a tidal fashion. There is an interlude to showcase a pleasing but not overwhelming solo, then a different style of vocal (horror-stricken metalcore) is introduced under another stomping neo-Mayhem riff. Stylish Immolation lurching and wailing comes to the fore, with spasmodic blastbeats and quintessential Bob Vigna riffage that is simultaneously dizzy yet perfectly poised.

"Menstrual Heroin" has a more old-school vibe but maintains consistency with the other tracks. Harmonious basslines and Trey Azagthoth leadwork ornaments this chapter. Initially a slowburning Euro-thrasher, it leans towards Morbid Angel in character as the chords get sludgier. Old My Dying Bride creeps into the structure as a mixture of doom-laden chords, squeals and vocals. Syncopated beating alongside darkly imperious string-jumping evolves to take on a Hate Eternal tone as the intensity increases.

It was admittedly frustrating not to hear the whole album, as these tracks seem to play a part in a grander scheme as yet unseen. Although I wasn't blown away utterly by this promo I feel there is a rightful place for Mord'a'Stigmata on a record label as they are completely convincing and have no obvious weaknesses to speak of. So, yet another decent band arises from Poland; what is it about that country that so successfully breeds extreme metal bands?

April 23rd, 2008