Album review: LIGHTNING SWORDS OF DEATH – Baphometic Chaosium

Metal Blade – Out Now.

When you are a member of a band whose first ever worldwide tour has been in support of Glen Danzig, your subsequent tour experiences involve bands such as Kreator, Behemoth and you enjoy the financial support of a label such as Metal Blade then there should be no doubt in your mind that you are in a very privileged position.

Though many fellow-journalists were fast in praising Lightning Swords of Death and their innovative spirit and technical skills, 2010s full length “The Extra Dimensional Wound” did not manage to justify the hype for me – still, I remained open minded and in anticipation of more material from the five Californians. Two years later, the band is ready to release its third studio effort entitled “Baphometic Chaosium” while I, on the other hand, am ready to see if these lads will manage to score higher in my appreciation this time round.

Sadly “Baphometic Chaosium” continues exactly where its predecessor left off. Riffs are heavy and meaty but are often repetitive, Autarch’s vocals are clever and intimidating but often out of place, while Mike Vega’s drumming is intense and technically challenging but often over the top and uncontrollable resulting in the rhythmical structures of the songs on offer being mortally undermined.

One a more positive note, there are some really interesting background keyboard themes which create a feeling of eeriness throughout the album and quite a few individual guitar performances are truly inspiring, incorporating elements of Death and Black Metal in equal measure.

The Death (band) influences bass lines of the opening same-titled track “Baphometic Chaosium” made quite a positive impression on me but soon after the first section of the follow-up “Acid Gate” was completed, I kind of knew that this would not continue for much longer. Though I loved the groovy main riff of “Psychic Waters”, the song is quite monotonous and predictable while I cannot see the reasoning behind placing a two minute instrumental composition such as “Cloven Shields” as a follow up.

My hopes were again raised by the heavy Doom-laden beast entitled “Chained To Decay” only to be dashed again by the structurally insane “R’ Lyeh Wuurm”. Fans of latter-day Satyricon will feel really at home with “Epicularium” – a song which is reminiscent of the mighty Norwegians both in terms of feel and execution, while the closing anthem “Oaken Chrysalis” has a few interesting moments but it is sadly fairly directionless.

Lightning Swords Of Death are what one could describe as an unusual band, the kind of outfit that is meant to divide audiences and operate as an ‘acquired taste’. In my particular case, my reaction to the music seems to suggest that I am on the wrong side of the fence but that does not mean that all fans of extreme Metal will agree with me.

“Baphometic Chaosium” will soon be unleashed upon mankind and, as far as the fans of Lightning Swords Of Death are concerned, it will be a must- have – does that apply to you?

John Stefanis

Rating: *** (3.0/5.0)

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