…dirges from the Abyss: BLACK CAPRICORN – ‘Ira Dei’ EP

Over the span of three full-lengths and a killer split with fellow countrymen Bretus (review HERE), Italy’s Black Capricorn have been harnessing and channeling cosmic emanations into potent meditations of trance-inducing psychedelic doom. On the heels of their excellent split comes the unexpected, limited time only release, Ira Dei EP. Though the material found on Ira Dei is no great departure from the band’s previous work the three tracks represent some of Black Capricorn’s darkest material to date. Ira Dei is a collection of ritualistic dirges that are as heavy as they are hypnotizing.

Among the many things that Black Capricorn does well is building palpable tension with their song intros and the EP opener, “Evil Horde of Lucifer,” is no exception with its rising-tide of cryptic noise and briefly backmasked instrumentation that ultimately yields to a lumbering groove. The track effectively weaves chant-like French vocals with more forceful vocals sung in English to powerful effect.

“Zeernebooch,” the most memorable track of the EP, spins a grim tale about the destruction of the human race at the hands of the dark god who holds dominion over the dead. The instrumentation is more than suitable for the subject matter and the track features fuzzed out, acid-rock leads buried within the hulking riffs, along with some deceptively nuanced percussion.

Don’t sleep on this one as Ira Dei is only available for a limited time (one week) as the band hopes to use the proceeds from the as-of-now digital only release to help with their upcoming European tour. Though the EP is only available for a limited time digitally the band hopes to use the tracks for either a split release or as part of an EP in physical format.

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…beware the haunter and the hound: BLACK CAPRICORN / BRETUS – 7” split 2015

Italian doom acts Black Capricorn and Bretus have teamed up for a split 7” release that is almost as evil as it is heavy. Slow ominous riffs are the rule and both bands bring a fair-share of shadowy psychedelics to the proceedings, particularly Black Capricorn—a band that has been successfully quarrying elements from the dark underbelly of space rock over the span three excellent full-length albums. Bretus may not have spiraled as far down the rabbit hole as their fellow countrymen in terms of overt psychedelia and noise manipulation, but they have mastered the craft of composing engaging, hook-laden traditional doom metal that seems to get murkier and heavier with each successive release. Though officially released in 2015, Bretus’ Lovecraft indebted ‘The Shadow over Innsmouth’ (review HERE) was a 2014 favorite here at Vertical Chamber Apparatus.

Bretus’ contribution, “The Haunter of the Dark,” definitely has more in common with the dark sonic vibes that emanate from ‘The Shadow over Innsmouth’ as opposed to the varied, still excellent debut full-length ‘In Onirica.’ The tone for “The Haunter of the Dark” is set from the get-go with pouring rain, distant thunder, and the portentous tolling of a bell clanging gloomily at the fore. Clichéd? Perhaps, but who cares? It works perfectly with the ensuing auditory assault unleashed by Bretus. “The Haunter of the Dark” is classic sounding doom metal that could best be described as classic-era Trouble meets Germany’s Dawn of Winter. “Haunter” is a mid-tempo scorcher with enough heft to get the adrenaline flowing, yet still slow and atmospheric enough to remain foreboding. This is some of Bretus’ finest work to date.

Black Capricorn’s “The Hound of Harbinger God” is an entirely different abomination altogether. A rising tide of white noise engulfs the listener and as the swell reaches its bursting point the band settles into a slow, lysergic groove. Without a doubt, this is some of Black Capricorn’s strongest material. The liquid lead guitar playing—contributed by both Fabrizio "kjxu" Monni and Daniele Manca—seems to bleed through the cosmic aether and out of the listener’s stereo speakers. “The Hound of Harbinger God” is a trippy, stoned-out tune that burns with the intensity of a candle at a black mass before fading away, engulfed by the returning wave of white noise.


Both bands put their best foot forward and pull no punches on this split release. “The Haunter of the Dark” finds Bretus further exploring horror and the macabre seemingly with ease and with great success. As much as I loved the band’s debut, ‘In Onirica,’ their current excursions are just as satisfying. Black Capricorn’s “The Hound of Harbinger God” is a dark trip that, at eight-and-a-half minutes, ends far too soon. Highly recommended split from these excellent, on-the-rise Italian doom acts…

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