TRIAGONE – SEM PAPYRVS (EP)
LABEL: Independent
RELEASE: February 10th, 2023
AUTHOR: Paul Hutchings
01. Novvs Ordo Seclorvm
02. Abyssvs Abyssvm Invocat
03. Ad Mortem Sem Papyrvs
04. Nvlla Regvla Sine Exceptione
05. De Beata Vita
06. Imperivm In Imperio
The debut EP from this Belgian technical death metal outfit is a brutal affair. Savagery is the order of the day and it doesn’t come much more aggressive and punishing than this. Fronted by the growling Lorena Moraes, this is a six-track release which is a real showcase of what the band are about.
On a technical level, it is impressive. There is no fancy intro, messing about or scene setting. It’s heads down, dramatically energetic from the start. Ferocious riffing, screaming solos that slice through the air and the intense battery of drums provide the platform for Moraes to deliver. She’s joined on backing vocals by lead guitarist Lou-Indigo Caspar who brings additional gruffness to proceedings.
It’s reasonable to say that this is an EP that won’t please everyone. If you don’t like the unrelenting musical assault which sees Caspar shredding like a maniac, then perhaps walk on by. However, if you demand that your technical death metal is an aural assault on the senses, then this blitzkrieg is for you. Opener “Novvs Ordo Seclorvm” is a blistering early taster, but the intensity actually increasing dramatically on second track “Abyssvs Abyssvm Invocat” which is delivered at such a frantic pace you’ll need to hold on to something solid to avoid being blown away. It’s frenetic, brutal yet not without a touch of melody that ensures the songs maintain structure and direction. It’s also a pace that doesn’t let up until the final song “Imperivm In Imperio”.
Whilst all band members put in stellar performances, it’s the lead work of Caspar and the machine like drumming of Lorenzo Vissol that stand out. The band’s use of language is interesting, a guttural mix of Ancient Greek and Latin alongside more modern Latin and Germanic languages. It means that you tend to explore this through the music but whichever way you approach it, the bruising nature of the music means that there is little left to the imagination.
Although the style of music means that there is an element of repetition, TRIAGONE bring enough variation to maintain the interest throughout the six songs. You can dismiss it as noise if you want, but there is plenty of skill and talent lurking here. Feral in parts, it’s also a polished and well produced release and puts TRIAGONE firmly in the spotlight.