In Cauda Venenum – In Cauda Venenum

Nowadays, in a scenario where there is a boom of musical releases around the world, it is hard to find something that grabs us right from the beginning and make us want to listen to it repeatedly. Occasionally, the underground scene surprises us with new and unknown projects, loaded with good ideas, originality and quality. Emanations, and the Les Acteurs De L’Ombre Productions which Emanations is a part of, have this mission to help these projects raise exposure.

In Cauda Venenum is one of those projects. The project’s name can be translated from Latin to “The poison is in the tail,” and as a metaphorical scorpion, this first album, consisting of only two very lengthy songs reaching about 21 minutes each, gracefully embrace us, only to give the final blow where the poison is injected into the prey.
It features a perfect mixture that can be cataloged as Atmospheric Black metal, where guitars lead the way shaped in memorable riffs stuffed with reverb, a low mixed bass accompanied by interesting drum work that don’t just sit there, instead add details and dynamics to the compositions. The vocalizations seem to obtain inspiration from Wolves In The Throne Room, but are not monotonous or too filling, letting the instrumental atmosphere speak for itself.

Starting slow and groovy, “Ωlpha” showcases all what we can expect from this release: a long journey, full of ups and downs, which could usefully be divided into various acts or movements. A journey that gives us mental images of the cosmos antitheses: chaotic yet seemingly organized… Stunning yet frighteningly vast, beyond the limits of what the human mind can process.
“Θmega” picks up where the previous song ended, and slowly begins to create an atmosphere that is tense but at the same time, melodic, in a mid-tempo pace presents us with memorable riffs for their melodies, and beautiful guitar solos that occasionally arise. There are also moments of pause, with short acoustic interludes in which a speech makes us have another brief moment of introspection. Despite being mostly slower and less violent, this song is the perfect end to this fantastic debut release of this French group.

It is worth mentioning that all the work was done by the band, which is composed of only two people. Sometimes, the fewer people working, the better the outcome. The artwork is fabulous, composed by paintings that can be abstractly attractive but at the same time, obscure, outlining the darkest outlines that the human mind can transfigure into.
“In Cauda Venenum” is a record of contrasts, in all aspects: Musically, graphically, as well as the feelings that it channels and the different ways it makes us achieve those emotional states.
Definitely recommended!

8/10