Label: Independent
Release date: March 13th, 2025
The Netherlands is, in our metal world, a very well-known country, actually one of the best well-known and associated with metal ones not only in Europe, but also in the world as well. But this is about one sub-genre of our beloved music. This is of course death metal I’m talking about. Cthuluminati is an example for ensembles who have not too much to do with such creativity, even if the drummer was a member of some prominent line-ups. He played several years in bands whose debut albums were “Feasting on Blood” and “Choronzonic Chaos Gods”. And these titles are, at least I hope so, to every fan of death metal. He also played as a live member with two American ensembles – one of them is as iconic as hell.
“Tentacula” is the second full-length of a band based in the second largest city of Holland, Cthuluminati. This is also what happens quite often to the hordes playing such music genres, a concept album. It means, lyrics play a very important role here and all of them are one huge story. And what music can you find on this release on March 13th, independently by ensemble, CD and digital album? Well, the answer to this question isn’t easy, much less clear-cut. Somewhere, I think most of you know very well what portal I mean, I found the description progressive blackened stoner doom. Well, that actually captures reality quite well, even if I think the word progressive says almost anything when it takes music. Besides, such music is created to listen to it. I mean, it’s about feelings and since everyone has a different personality… And this term blackened is in my opinion about a dark atmosphere inspired by some very popular among metalheads American writers. Sign of fascination of this guy was born August 20th, 1890, and died March 15th, 1936, is even the name of the band.
From the reason I mentioned before I think describing music is unnecessary and, to be honest, a little absurd – at least in my world. You know, from a purely technical point of view this is nothing too complicated, it is about a few riffs and, for someone who doesn’t like doom metal, quite monotonous drumming with not too many passages. We’re dealing here, of course, with desperate clean singing becoming desperate screams here and there. From time to time, Devi also treats us to sad melo-declamations – as I recognize they’re not only in English. Anyway, despite appearances, music isn’t monotonous at all and there’s a lot going on in it. The means of expression may be rather simple, but at the same time you can still hear technical advancements of all musicians. That’s why you don’t notice compositions are quite long – they take something like ten minutes; you’re not bored with this music.
Honestly, I could write even a novella about this stuff if I’d like to describe this music in detail. But instead, I’ll write something else. Both the ensemble’s name and its clear connections with the above-mentioned writer aren’t accidental. What I mean is that this fascination is much deeper. I just can feel the same dark atmosphere; I see the same weird pictures in my mind when I listen to “Tentacula”. At the same time, I know very well this isn’t creativity for everyone. And I think not even every fan of doom metal will fall in love with that, at least not directly. The reason is that this is just not too easy to pick up.
I don’t know about you, but I’ll “arm” myself with this CD and come back to it from time to time. However, I recommend you to check it out online before you decide to spend your cash on it.
