I had been waiting for this album very impatiently, counting down the remaining days. Luckily, shortly after it was out, I managed to get a beautifully released vinyl version with a cover art created(again) by the master himself: HR.Giger.
This year it’s been seven years since Tom GabrielWarrior has formed TRIPTYKON. One can solemnly state that these seven years have been very good and creative for this band: two, good full length albums, two singles as well as plenty of extraordinary live shows performed all over the world. It is just unbelievable how these changesaffected Tom, who has apparently regained pleasure in playing music. I think this is mainly due to the great atmosphere within the band, the respect the band members have for each other, and the fact they`re real friends.
"MelanaChasmata" is an unbelievably diverse album. It seems to be more approachable than the debut album of theirs. Paradoxically, the TRIPTYKON`s music is more similar to the classic doings of CELTIC FROST than “Monotheist” itself is. “Monotheist” interesting as it is, is a far cry from the music we know from the classic CELTIC FROST productions.
“EparisteraDaimones,” the debut album of TRIPTYKON bore many resemblances to CELTIC FROST/HELLHAMMER, and thus its effect on a listener was powerful. Such an approach has been deepened on "MelanaChasmata," and resulted in a stylistically consistent entity combining a number of classic and new elements.
“Tree of Suffocating Souls”, a nearly 8 minute lasting track, opens this album. It`s an aggressive song, and reminds of old CELTIC FROST very much, it made me happy this track. Innovatively, there is another vocalist - Victor BullokSantury that gives this stuff some black metal sharpness.
In the second part of the track, massiveness replaces speed. In a very subtle way, this track combines brutality and heaviness, yet still remains spacious; the way this track is arranged and the “rich” atmosphere of it amaze me. Also, you guys should notice some oriental elements present here and there on this album.
“Boleskine House” is a lengthy track as well (it runs for over 7 minutes). It injects a listener with a high dose of pitch-black heaviness. Massive, deep vocals of Tom, paired with an almost angelic singing of VanjaSlajh and slowly flowing solo create this unique, almost magic atmosphere. “Altar of Deceit” builds a dark atmosphere right from the beginning in a masterly way.
This track moves forward crushing listeners with its titanic heaviness. The abundance of percussion ideas makes this track even more attractive. There is a lot going on here, and the percussion ornaments make this track really eminent.Very moving guitar solos that use oriental scales complete this stuff as a whole perfectly.
“Breathing,” on the other hand, is a very fast track, and I would say the most interesting one that`s been composed by TRIPTYKON so far. There is a lot going on here, tempos keep changing, damn fast parts are mixed with some middle and slow ones. “Aurorae,” from its very beginning is suffused with some oriental elements and that builds up the atmosphere in a great way. There is a lot of nostalgia, sorrow, as well as decency in this track.
The dramatic way Tom sings the song`s lyrics (his mind is tired of war/Of misery and pain/A spirit wasting away/Like rivers to the sea/A spirit wasting away is this agony) sends shivers down my spine. This is a real diamond on this album, this track really is, and probably one of the most beautiful tracks ever composed in the Warrior`s music carrier.
“Demon Pact” is, for a change, a really evil-sounding track. There is something anxious, demonic and dark about this song. “In the Sleep of Death” is another 8 minute song. This track is filled with despair, doubt, sadness and yearning. This track echoes subtly with some “Into the Pandemonium” influences, especially when it comes to the tempered vocals of Tom.
“Black Snow” is the longest (almost 13 minute) track on this album. This song is very atmospheric, and despite not being very complex, it is far from primitive. Noticeable is percussion with a large number of ornaments which makes this track really noble. Jet black and very heavy parts of this track, combined with psychotic and sick sounds plus lots of darkness just make this track really paralyzing with its power.
This album is closed by “Waiting,” a track with the hypnotic vocals of Vanja. This is really magical! Very magical, dreamy, this track ends this amazing album in a perfect way. "MelanaChasmata" is an absolutely stunning album, with unique atmosphere and this stuff emanate with mighty power. Tom Warrior is like wine, plain and simple. The older, the better!
Leszek Wojncz-Sianożęcki