Vorkreist - Sigil Whore Christ (2012)

Exploiting a sick and twisted approach to Black Metal, today we have France’s Vorkreist and their latest opus “Sigil Whore Christ”. In this release the band delivers over 45 minutes of deranged Black Metal in the vein of fellow countrymen Peste Noire minus the extreme use Avant-garde elements.

The album opens with the punishing riffing of “De Imitatione Christi” a piece that sounds very similar to a track on the latest Peste Noire release. With such a commanding guitar work and demonic vocals, the release quickly follows with the massive “Maledicte” and its brutal combination of shrieks and growls and deranged mourns, something that Shinning or similar BM bands would do.

Things get really disturbing and eerie with “Deus Vult” and its chilling passages of clean chants and twisted riffs paired with very aggressive sections. This song is one of the most entertaining ones in this release. “Dominus Illuminatio Mea” and “Memento Mori” are again down to basics BM tracks with interesting drum patterns and catchy guitar structures. On the brutal side of things we have “Ecce Homo” and ‘Per Aspera Ad Astra” delivering the raw power and brutality that fans of Black Metal expect.

Winding down the album we have “Ad Nauseam” and “Scalae Gemoniae”, both tracks feature a slower tempo and a higher focus on melodic riffing, perfect for closing such a rich album. The craziness near the end of “Ad Nauseam” reminded us at times of Bethlehem’s “Dictius Te Necare” album. The same goes for “Scalae Gemoniae” and its hypnotic riffing.

In the times where all bands sound alike, it is refreshing to listen to Vorkreist and their highly refined Black Metal sound. “Sigil Whore Christ” is a very entertaining release that will have you at the edge of your seat for over 45 minutes. If you are a fan of Peste Noire, Shinning, and older Bethlehem, this is the release for you. As you can read, there is no need to be name dropping (since all the members of the band play in countless others), this releases music speaks for itself.

Release: April 24th, 2012 (UK) / May 22nd, 2012 (USA)

Country: France