Hecate Enthroned have never been the most prolific of bands, and the last of theirs I heard, the excellent ‘Virulent Rapture’ (2013) came out some 9 years after the previous one. Since then lead singer Elliott Beaver has left to be replaced by Joe Stamp, which means that 2019’s ‘Embrace of the Godless Aeon’ was the third consecutive album with different singers, since when drummer Gareth Hardy has also left to be replaced by Matt Holmes. At least the rest of the guys are still the same as they have been for decades with Nigel Dennan (guitars, who was there when the band was first called Amethyst in 1992 before they changed to Daemonum in 1993, then finally Hecate Enthroned in 1995), Dylan Hughes (bass), Andy Milnes (guitars) and Pete White (keyboards).
It has always seemed strange to me that there are so few black metal bands in the UK compared to the rest of Europe, but these guys have been at the vanguard for a considerable period, even if have not released as much as many. Again produced by the band themselves alongside Dan Abela (Akercocke, Bleed From Within, Annal Nathrakh), who also mixed/mastered the album, this is an album which again encompasses symphonic black metal while the lyrics based on ancient British myths and legends. I am not sure why they have taken so long to release albums, and I note that Stamp has released two albums with his other band Ba’al since the last HE release, but there has undoubtedly been a lot of care put into this. Believe it or not there are passages during “A Gallery Of Rotting Portraits” where musically it could have come from Nightwish, although the title did then make me think immediately of Nigel Tufnel talking about Bach.
The production is polished, the arrangements complex, vocals just right, but there is something missing which I just can’t identify. There is a lot of contrast within the release, which ensures that heavy always seems dark and menacing with the lightness bright and cheery, but there is a part of me which thinks it could have been more. It is not as immediate as ‘Virulent’, but there is still a great deal going for it and I am sure if I was able to spend more time with it that I would rate it higher, but even with my reservations it is still a thoroughly enjoyable black metal release.
Rating: 8/10
Links:
https://www.hecateenthroned.com/
https://www.m-theoryaudio.com/