Clairvoyance “Chasm of Immurement”
The harrowing struggle of the afflicted one and his perpetual lament as wrought by the gloom of hundreds of funerals, the drab of a thousand gloomy days and the agony of prison-like isolation is the reality here. And no attempt at empathy will ever draw the sympathized near enough for it to be understood - the grim reality of those who’ve been stricken with mental illness… The stuff of nightmares - a misunderstood and lonesome existence is the life for so many of us. What comes across as external indifference is actually deep internal suffering; a persistent gloom that permeates through every orifice of our being.
The tragedies of the human psyche have been detailed by countless Death Metal bands since the inception of the genre. Clairvoyance’s Chasm of Immurement is yet another chapter in dread’s great volume. It will be released on July 18 via Carbonized Records.
Clairvoyance is a Polish Death Metal band hailing from Warsaw. Since forming in 2019, they’ve undergone a few lineup changes and have endured one hiatus. They’ve one demo, an EP and one soon-to-be released LP in the above-mentioned Chasm of Immurement within their discography to boot. Put the cleaver back in the cabinet. Hang up the Butchers apron and set the guy in the basement free, because this is no torture ‘em and chop ‘em up Death Metal album, nor is it one of the diabolical variety. With Chasm of Immurement, Clairvoyance crosses over from the sphere of conventional themes into the realm of psychological terror - a lucid nightmare of both sound and subject. Musically, expect linear momentum and unstoppable force. Bulldozing progression upon bulldozing progression during tracks like the opener, “Eternal Blaze” and “Hymn of The Befouled”. Both cuts perspire a contemporary sort of pungent DM terror sweat in the vein of Frozen Soul or Tomb Mold, all the while as they convey that beloved early ‘90’s Death Metal vibe.
Vocals are of the most brutal variety - Cannibal Corpse The Bleeding-era Barnes only deeper, more foreboding. All phases are streamlined except for lead guitar. Just plowing forward through bone heaps and scorched earth until out of nowhere comes a bewildering solo a la the lead in “Fleshmachine”. Frenetically firing off into the cold chasmic atmosphere with wails and squeals. No breakdowns and no uber-technical mumbo-jumbo. Clairvoyance is a band that features members who understand what true Death Metal is supposed to sound like. Massacre’s Kam Lee would be proud. There’s plenty of positive things to say about Chasm of Immurement, but the fact remains that it is a forgettable album. I’m not picking up much in the way of anything that would call me back for a second spin. Listen once, dig it and then file it away is the move here. There’s just too much going on within the world of underground Death Metal to warrant this album the title of “great”. It’s good, that’s it…
Clairvoyance regrouped after their hiatus and put together a decent album in Chasm of Immurement - a record to hang their hat on and maybe build upon for a better sophomore release. A voice for the afflicted and an eye opener for the ignorant is COI. A decent underground Death Metal album with a good concept that will no doubt earn Clairvoyance some deserved attention and fans. I think I’ll go back and grab my cleaver…
SCORE: 7 / 10
You can purchase Chasm of Immurement on Carbonized Records’ Bandcamp or stream the album on the band’s Spotify.
