If you wanted a band which brought together musicians from the entire Trondheim black metal scene, from 1992 to the present day, then look no further. Diabolus, mecum semperterne! (roughly translated as The devil, always with me) consists of musicians who have played in some of the most important bands in the scene. On guitars/bass/synths is Tor-Helge Skei, better known as Cernunnus, the man behind Manes, Manii, and Syning; Kjell Rambech, K.R, of Whoredom Rife, Bloodthorn, and Parfaxitas fame, deals with the harsh vocals; Eskil Blix, or Azazil, a major force in Mare, Vemod, Dark Sonority, Djevel, Kaosritual, Castrum Doloris, Grenjar, Mørkekunst, contributes ‘clean’ vocals, and B. Kråbøl, of Misotheist, Enevelde, and Kråbøl provides the furious drum attack. Quite a line up and another example of the fluidity of musicians within the Trondheim black metal community.
This unholy quartet are releasing this single next week, which will be followed up with a full album release in February 2026. Gratias agamus domino infero deo nostro, or Let us give thanks to the infernal lord, our god, exudes a satanic menace through blistering, atmospheric black metal of the first order.
At nearly ten minutes long, this track comprises four distinct sections. The opening is a barrage of tremolo guitars, blast beats and a wonderful synth, searing above. It’s like the gates of hell are opening, and K.R barks demonic vocals at the tortured souls below. Committed and ferocious, the opening is a statement of diabolical intent. There’s too much modern black metal that has lost this type of intensity and it’s not just about speed and power. This track demonstrates effortlessly how ideology (in this case satanic) merges into the music itself, so it becomes seamless and unrelenting. If you want a glimpse into hell, then this is it. Nevertheless, such brutality can’t last, and after a scream ripped from the very earth itself, we hear an almost un-holy, choir-like dirge accompanied by that ethereal synth. A note here is the use of cymbals by Kråbøl; they dance wonderfully through the horror providing some sort of sinister mocking. The choir and synth are hypnotic, seducing and that, accompanied by the unrelenting power of the drums and guitars, suggests a twisted praise, a praise of the infernal lord.
A slower, more reflective theme emerges, again with that (un)heavenly choir; it sounds anthemic and lyrical, yet the section is still busy and that demonic voice croaks out terror. This is no road to Damascus moment, it is rather the revelation of something dark, mysterious, but utterly evil.
The next section comes into its own after an atmospheric interlude of buzzing guitars and emotional synths and is announced with a wonderful, repetitive riff that carries with it threat and danger. It is a beautiful (yes, black metal can demonstrate beauty) part of the track, driving forward incessantly broken by, not just the growls of K. R, but also a voice, hidden amongst the maelstrom, beguiling, terrifying, and merged with an emerging synth from the darkest depths. The choir emerges again, perhaps promising salvation, an escape of sorts, but the final section bursts in to trample any such futile hopes.
The speed is incredible, it’s savage and wild, and there really is no hope. K. R’s vocals couldn’t be more terrifying and the sense of despair is palpable. It ends as it only could, with the infernal lord triumphant.
It’s heady stuff, not for the faint hearted, and more importantly, not for those who like their black metal ‘lite’.
What this single track suggests to me is that not only is the Trondheim scene futile, creative, and vicious, but that it’s a cut above the rest of the mediocre non-music that calls itself black metal. What a magnificent taster for the forthcoming album.
The single out next week, available on all digital platforms. Here’s the pre-save link for the song so anyone who signs up get a notification when it’s out:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/diabolusmecumsemperterne/gratias-agamus-domino-infero-deo-nostro
Another superb production by www.terraturpossessions.com who deserve not only all the praise we mortals can muster, but an acknowledgement of the integrity this company has earned over the years.
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