INQUISITION – OBSCURE VERSES FOR THE MULTIVERSE 2LP (Season Of Mist)

Inquisition’s subtle charm is irresistible and wholly addictive. On their sixth full-length, the Colombian duo pretty much do what they have always done, effortlessly easing through ten (including the vinyl bonus track) offerings of croaky Black Metal majesty. There is very little on here that I haven’t heard from Inquisition before, yet ‘Obscure Verses For The Multiverse’ is utterly essential listening.

Although all their albums are great, I personally believe that the last three represent a slight change of direction and sort of stand alone from the rest of the discography. Indeed, ‘Nefarious Dismal Orations’, ‘Ominous Doctrines Of The Perpetual Mystical Macrocosm’ and this new one are so alike that they resemble a trilogy in many respects, three parts of the same movement, all virtually identical in sound and tone.

So, nothing at all new here … yet the music is charming and fun and just fucking fantastic. To an extent, you probably need a sense of humour to enjoy Inquisition fully; the converse of this is that you would need to be one seriously grumpy fucker to have a problem with them. I think they are a true Black Metal institution and I also contend that they are vastly superior – and more consistent – than the band they apparently ape (Immortal).

Two bones of contention, both aimed at the label: all the cash-grab deluxe editions that cost a fortune (cowhide record sleeves or whatever) are a blatant rip-off and, well, is there really any need to mention vomit-inducing cunts like Watain and Darkthrone on the sticker on the cover? Makes me sick looking at those words.

The regular double-vinyl edition is more than adequate, however.

Evilometer: 666/666