This is the debut EP from Italian technical death metal band Oneiric Celephaïs, which features Federico Giusti (vocals, lead guitars), Emilio Lucchesi (guitars), Francesco Mazzino Pietro Fambrini (bass) and Emiliano Burchi (drums). This 25-minute-long 4-track EP was released by Gore House Productions last year, although I believe it was released independently back in 2019, but Gore House have signed the band to a multi-album deal, so it is possible they have just reissued it again. While they have been likened to the likes of Death, Obscura, Spawn Of Possession and Gory Blister, for me there are also similarities with Nile while there are also pieces where they sound more like blackened death than technical.

While blistering pace and complex guitar interplay and runs is very much the order of the day, there are also plenty of instances where they throw in changes in time signature and/or mood, and while it is always very much in keeping with the music, it can be a little hard to keep up with them at times. One thing I found quite strange is that the production feels almost too clean and cynical with the band are doing underneath and they lose some of the edge because of that – I am sure they sound very different to this in concert with far more power and distortion going on. But this was originally an independent release, and it is going to interesting to see what they do with a label behind them. While not essential, this is showing great promise and are a band to keep an eye on as if they can get the mix right in terms of production, aggression and arrangements then these could be quite special indeed.

Rating: 6/10

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/therealmofoneiricelephais
https://gorehouseproductions.com/