At the Altar of the Horned God Displays Kinetic Purpose on "Through Doors of Midnight"

Conceived, and performed by sole member Heolstor (Mystagos) with help from guest female vocalist, Maya, "Through Doors of Midnight" is a ritualistic centerpiece of artistic endeavor; seven hymns of invocation and introspective spellweaving, and an evocation of sound design and aesthetic presentation. Combine this with a delicate mix (provided by Simón Alvar (The Empty Hall Studios) and artwork by Orryelle Defenestrate-Bascule, and it is a demonstration of artistic poise and purpose.

This ceremony opens with "A Ka Dua", a synth-laden opening, very ambient, giving immediate intent for the purpose and feel this album presents, with a gradual building of elements to a crescendo, and it feels this is meant to be the invocation of the listener, as once this mental plateau has been reached, the album continues to weave its hymns along the same wavelengths. These songs are at once ambient, and yet there is a driving momentum behind every flourish; kinetic energy that propels this artistic vision forward. There are moments when this album almost sounds like a film score, an atmospheric bed; the score to a hellish film unmade.

It is a pagan homage; and in the artist's words, " a summoning ritual to the Cloven One, the One With Horns". It is at times chilling to hear the artisan's craftsmanship behind the beds and pulsing of the rhythmic backgrounds; tribal drums beat, male vocal chants flourish between synth beds with creative determination; no part of this album feels rushed, rather, every part feels as if it is presented in the exact form, time, and manner in which it was planned. There are moments of black metal transcendence, the first being Prayer I, atmospheric plangency that, while an escalation, is more of cosmic propulsion. 

The artwork by esoteric scholar, Orryelle Defenestrate-Bascule prepares the mind for what you about hear, and the mixing and mastering by Simón Alvar (The Empty Hall Studios) was handled with deft precision, enhancing the delicate nuances of these hymns, especially in the track "Malediction", a track of melodic beauty with almost a slight melancholy forbearance lingering amid the gorgeous weaving of male and female chants and song (guest vocals provided by Maya). 

This album is not meant to be consumed, this album is meant to be used; this album is meant to be listened with, not listened to. It is spiritual craftsmanship of delicate precision; there is a purpose to these songs, each one complementing the previous track, and preparing the transom for the next track. You can hear this craftwork through the I, Voidhanger label pages such as Facebook, and the I, Voidhanger website; you can also purchase the album on the I, Voidhanger Bandcamp page (limited vinyl, CD, and digital).