Black metal on its own is often bland. Black metal as an ingredient can be very interesting if added in reasonable quantities. Listening to Sciomancy, Malediction & Rites Abominable felt like sifting through a promising pile of raw ingredients that never quite form any edible dish. Necromaniac flirt with the potential of blackened thrash, offering a solid guitar tone and vocals that initially intrigued me. Yet, the album left me grappling with frustration over its bloated execution and lack of direction.
The opener is a strange, sluggish three-minute intro with wailing that sets the tone—but not in a good way. It drags without payoff, feeling like a missed opportunity to grab my attention. From there, the tracks show glimmers of promise. The guitar work delivers some engaging riffs, and the vocalist demonstrates an impressive range of unsettling sounds. But instead of weaving these talents into the core of the music, they’re relegated to awkward intros. The synths and bell effects sprinkled throughout aim for a spooky vibe but only add to the sense of an unfinished atmosphere.
Track after track, I found myself wanting more focus. The album is 49 minutes, but feels even longer, weighed down by slow, wannabe-majestic sections that kill the momentum. Take “Calling Forth The Shade,” for instance—a misstep with its sluggish pace and spoken harsh vocals. Necromaniac shine brightest in their faster, thrashier moments, but these get bogged down by unnecessary interludes and overly drawn-out passages. A ruthless editor could’ve trimmed the fat and turned this into a lean, punchy record. The drummer is the real light at the end of the tunnel, showcasing raw energy and precision when let loose. Unfortunately, even his talent gets sidelined in the slower, plodding sections. I kept waiting for the band to fully embrace their blackened thrash potential, but they seemed too enamored with trying to be atmospheric to really cut loose their music.
I wanted to enjoy this album, and there are sparks of brilliance buried within. But as it stands, Sciomancy, Malediction & Rites Abominable feels like a missed opportunity—a frustrating mix of talent and poor execution. Necromaniac could craft something memorable if they focused on their strengths and left the bloated, spooky gimmicks behind.
