Blasphemy is far from anything new to the world of black metal. If anything, it can be considered cliche by many with there being more than a few instances where bands implement it into their sound to try and add some sort of intrigue or flavor into the mix only to have it end up being a hollow attempt at capturing the sound. Those who do succeed, however, bring together some of the most scathing and unrelenting aspects that black metal has long held. Profanatica has been no stranger at delivering such unyielding darkness with their approach to black metal something of a ride that many have seen throughout the history of the sound, but it’s because of albums like this that acts like Profanatica continue to show us just how much excellence there is still to be had for such a thing should a band come around and dominate.

Dominate is what Profanatica does in even the smallest moments of “Crux Simplex”. This is not a record that was meant to lure one into the world of the darkest breed of black metal without leaving a real impact upon the psyche or showing one just how demented and torturous the sound can be as the light of the realm is constantly being snuffed out throughout the album while it’s being replaced by unending darkness that’s matched only by the screams of the eternally damned. There is no hope, salvation, retribution, or false saviors to be had in any of the ten tracks that “Crux Simplex” boasts with Profanatica never once missing an opportunity to dish out some brutal punishment upon the fools of reality for believing in what the fake prophets had to say while the flames of Hell lick at their heels like rabid dogs starved for weeks on end. A constant offensive of heated riffs, powerful works against any shred of goodness in this reality, and a real statement against that which proclaims itself to be righteous out of nothingness, “Crux Simplex” stands tall amongst heinous black metal by all account. Profanatica has honed their craft to a terrifying extent as it’s even amongst many of the contemporary acts that adorn the modern state of black metal, Profanatica is nothing to deny.

This is what it means to make all-out war against the sign of the cross with naught but bile and blasphemy to be had for those who step into the vile domain that Profanatica holds dominion over. These ten tracks are nothing to underestimate lest the black flames scorch your flesh and char your soul to its deepest layers. Even after seven full-length albums and a legacy of atrocity, “Crux Simplex” is the eighth work that Profanatica wields as a vicious weapon against the supposedly holy with the results of such brutality undeniable.

“Crux Simplex” releases on September 22nd via Season of Mist!

LISTEN to singles from “Crux Simplex” on Bandcamp here.

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