Cruentus

After having dabbled in the Black Metal arts at the outset of their career, the Athian-based quartet CRUENTUS decided to take a decisive turn towards unexplored countries on their 2000 demo release “mute”. What’s on offer on these four, numerically-entitled and interconnected compositions is some form of instrumental, Progressive Dark/Gothic Metal that, according to the band, aims at re-creating the atmosphere of old horror movies. Try to imagine if Andrew Lloyd Webber would decide to make an instrumental and Metal-ized version of “Phantom of the Opera”.

Keyboards and lead guitars share the leading role backed up by churning rhythm guitars and a habile rhythm section that, thankfully, employs real and not programmed percussion. Overall, the main themes are engaging and dynamic enough for the listener to not be bothered (or bored) by the lack of vocals. The keyboard and guitars are not 100% synchronized, which cause some minor confusion from time to time, but not to any serious detriment of the end result. The production is surprisingly good for being a demo-level release.

I must say I’m quite intrigued by the idea of combining Metal and horror soundtracks. After all, Metal has much to owe to the latter, going as far back as BLACK SABBATH’s pioneering work back in the early-1970s. It would’ve been interesting to hear CRUENTUS attempt a more long-form work, which would allow for some form of narrative-driven songwriting process. This never took place, of course, since the band folded before releasing anything else.

Recommended to fans of the darker side of Progressive Metal, or Gothic/Horror music in general.

Written by Johan Pettersson