2009 was a historical year in Indian Metal Scene when the mighty Iron Maiden headlined the Rock In India. Being a Maiden fan from years, I wasn’t personally bothered about the other bands on list apart from few Indian acts since I was in a state of shock that I am about to witness the legendary Heavy Metal band in front of my eyes. But I wasn’t aware that there was another hungry band from U.K. ready to demolish Bangalore on the very same day. Yes folks, I am talking about UK’s own Progressive Metal Dude’s DE PROFUNDIS. Exactly one year after the Rock in India, I witnessed them at Great Indian October Fest on 24th October, 2010. Indeed they gave an awe-fuckin-some performance on both the events.
So when I was given a chance to review them on India’s Oldest Extreme Metal Portal “MetalIndia Magazine”, I was excited about their new album “The Emptiness Within”. I have been following their music for quite sometime and fortunately they were successful in confusing me whether they wanna be a black metal band or something on the lines of extreme metal. The previous efforts by the band and the logo clearly justify the black metal elements. It’s indeed a fact that I like the way these guys fuse various genres and arrange it brilliantly but after listening to the entire album I was in a dilemma. In-fact the main reason being the final product, which sounds well executed sometimes and the very next moment it feels disconnected.
To some extent, the fact is evident in tracks like “Delirium” and “Silent Gods”, which have all the elements right from doom to jazz to extreme metal. The catchy melodic elements fused with fret burning solo followed by extreme brutality sounds phenomenal. Sadly as the song grows, it just feels hollow. The structure of “Silent Gods” reminds me the way Iron Maiden usually conclude their songs. “This Wretched Plague” on the other side has an epic opening followed by surprising death metal elements sure to blow your mind.
“Twisted Landscapes” and “Release” are the major highlights of the album. It’s clearly felt that they focus a lot on atmosphere and mood. Progressive elements remind me of Swedish Giants Opeth & Pain of Salvation. Although there is just something about the precision attack of the compositions and the sheer viciousness of the delivery that makes “The Emptiness Within” sound like more of a progressive extreme metal opus every time I spin it. Right from Progressive to Black to Doom to Extreme to jazz and what not, everything flows smoothly in few tracks while the rest just don’t continue the combination of fusing elements & murderous aggression. Oh boy, the jazz element with piano on “Release” and on “Parallel Existence” is sure to gain them a salute. Rest of the tracks continue the aggression, it could be the furious pace or the lethal chord progressions of the duo, which rip out some lacerating solos. The patented screams and distinctive growls might even be more psychotic this time around.
I heard the album almost 3 times not knowing why. Maybe because it was too awesome or maybe just to see if there was anything new in it for me to hear. The riffs absolutely grind, just as the rhythms pulverize and the vocals thunder. Interesting rhythms and tempos with catchy guitar tone has really hooked me in. Except for few tracks that just don’t stand out, The Emptiness Within is the sound of a band that is out to prove that it can be among progressive extreme metal’s elite. Finally, the subtle bits and pieces in the arrangements don’t necessarily stand out until after the first few listens, so spend some time with this one. The more you listen, the more you’ll hear, and the more you’ll appreciate this bloody good time of a progressive metal album.
Rating: 8/10