LVXCÆLIS – MYSTERIA MYSTICA MAXIMA XXIII (Lamech Records / Barghest)

Regardless of what the future may – or may not – hold for this website, it would be remiss of me to let 2012 pass without bearing witness to one of the finest releases of the year. Chilean trio LvxCælis conjured an incredible debut full-length, comprising ten magnificent songs, clocking in at 50 minutes and given a sumptuous eight-panel digipak treatment by two of the most exciting labels in existence right now.

Aesthetically and stylistically, LvxCælis remind me quite a bit of the excellent Dødsengel, though they do have a sound of their own (sort of). The stunning songs are broken up by some stellar ambient interludes and the overall atmosphere of this album is menacing, eerie, majestic and horrific. Any time there’s a slight worry that proceedings might become tiresome or monotonous, along comes another magical atmospheric interjection from an inspired band at the very peak of its power.

Anybody with even the slightest appreciation of Black Metal will surely enjoy ‘Mysteria Mystica Maxima XXIII’. In fact, anyone with a pulse should revel in the glories to be found herein. This is a superb recording in every way and is without doubt one of those rare CDs truly worthy of overused adjectives like ethereal, esoteric and eclectic. Inspirational stuff.

Evilometer: 666/666