Review Summary: Summing up the above, Liber Lvcifer II: Mahapralaya comes to reinforce the belief that Thy Darkened Shade is a band that is much less appreciated than it deserves. Having followed the scene for many years, I can't recall many bands that have released so m
Black metal is a dishonest thing, many want to serve it, few succeed. The case of Thy Darkened Shade, fortunately, does not fall into this category. They belong to an atypical "elite" band that whenever they choose to experiment, they succeed emphatically. In fact, they have a release in their repertoire which is unjustly not among the best of the genre in the last decade. Yes, that's how good I consider 2014's Liber Lvcifer I: Khem Sedjet. That's where Thy Darkened Shade proved in the most convincing way that they are a band worth every second of your time.
It took them almost a decade to get back on record. This happened at the dawn of 2023 with Liber Lvcifer II: Mahapralaya, their third full length album. The release comes with the difficulty of anything that follows Thy Darkened Shade. To understand it in its entirety, you have to analyze the lyrics, combine them with the music and in all this process, you have to include the artwork. It's demanding artwork, which can only be seen as a positive thing, however, it doesn't negate the "inhospitable" nature of their stuff.
Before we continue, it is worth talking about the background of the scheme in terms of ideas, since they themselves choose to play a leading role. Thematically, everything about it revolves around Left Hand Path, so, whether atmospherically or compositionally, their "color roller coaster" doesn't deviate from an occult aesthetic. Note that all of the above may well be analysed at greater length, but such an analysis would turn this review into a theological essay.
Having listened to the album a few times, one of the aims is to have a ritualistic character. Because of its "religious/ideological" content, I was reminded of Dissection's Reinkaos, the best - in my opinion - album of this logic. In my logic, such an album should be governed by repetitive musical patterns so that they have a character of "subconscious" prayer. Of course, such a logic can lead to a monotonous repetition. In order to avoid this, the musical themes must have the required compositional imagination, while the orchestration, the corresponding pluralism.
All of the above can be heard with your good morning to "Lucifitias". However, it is not the most representative example of Liber Lvcifer II: Mahapralaya. Sonically it is much closer to Khem Sedjet and could be described as a connecting link between the two releases. Also, for Thy Darkened Shade is relatively straightforward. No complex melodies, no complicated tempos, no repeated rhythmic changes. But, as I said, by no means can it be called a sample.
Read more (Greek content): https://www.depart.gr/thy-darkened-shade-liber-lvcifer-ii-mahapralaya-album-review/
