Genre: Black metal
Origin: Sweden
Released: 2005
Website: Excessum
Label: Deathstrike Records
Uploaded: 11.07.06

After a ritualistic intro building up high expectations of pure darkness and despair I’m eagerly awaiting to hear what this band has to offer. And as the intro fades I’m greeted by a hail to the early days of Dissection, which means cold, melodic death-inspired black metal. And while I’ve heard on numerous accounts that Excessum are just pedalling water I can tell you that I, for one, think this album’s superb!
This is utterly bleak and dark black metal, not a cheerful note on here. And while there are so many bands out there that are trying to do the Watain, Dissection thing there are not many that succeed at it, and even less that nails it. Though lacking in sound quality this album’s a great approach to the 90ies melodic black metal. The grim, monotonous chants supplement the satanic lyrics perfectly, and combined with the fast-paced drumming and slick riffs it lays to waste the listeners mind. It might’ve been done before but I sure like it. But for the next time I’d advice the guys to go for a bigger studio budget if possible, ‘cause I think that’d enhance the negative emotions of the music.

Tracklist:
01. Ceremonial blessings (intro)
02. Ritual through holy blood
03. The mournful held within
04. Death redemption
05. Lies of the deceiver
06. Creations (of the divine architect)
07. Bleed eternally
08. The Luciferian flame