Mimorium - Blood of Qayin

Angry Metal Guy 70

For the past couple of decades, it seems I get on a monthly Dissection kick. While I rarely talk about the band, it’s obvious—by the sheer number of times I’ve spun The Somberlain—that Dissection is one of my favorite bands of all time. Even the underrated and fantastic Reinkaos gets an equal number of spins to the debut and Storm of the Light’s Bane. Like many of you, when a Dissection reference comes my way, I mount that release like a bronco in heat. Unfortunately, I’m usually left a little disappointed by the comparison. That’s why I’m digging Mimorium‘s newest output, Blood of Qayin. With only two full-lengths to their name, Mimorium is a force to be reckoned with. I think I hear Nödtveidt sitting up in his grave.

Spewing forth the same anti-cosmic lyrical content used by Nödtveidt, Mimorium also stitches together the same kinds of catchy—sometimes thrashy—licks and building meloblack atmospheres. Now, with decades of copycats and reinventions of the sound, Mimorium takes subtle queues anywhere it can. Using everything from Watain and Naglfar and Old Man’s Child to round out their sound. At times, almost blanketing a song in the symphonics of the latter two, without actually using keys, the band then bundles up with the killer guitar work of the first. The vocals doing all they can to add their flair and working overtime to bring all these influences together. Sometimes with signature raspings and, at other times, utilizing deep-chested barks and growls. Blood of Qayin has everything to achieve a Swedish black metal masterpiece. Let’s see how it all comes together, shall we?

Blood of Qayin by Mimorium

Three songs describe Mimorium‘s sound better than I ever could. Opener “I Am What We Are,” “Left Hand of North,” and the album’s title track. All three contain some tasty riffs that, when combined with the slapping rasps and punching growls, leave hemorrhages on your skin. The first two weave aggression with melody as only Dissection could. While the choruses are memorable moments, the whirling guitar leads—that I thought only Nödtveidt and Old Man’s Child‘s Galder could write—fill the air with an untouchable passion and memorability. The title track is a beast all its own, though. It may use the same songwriting elements of the other two songs, but it does it with near perfection. The massive black metal pace is mouth-watering and, as the song ascends, it becomes headbangable. And when those melodic atmospheres hit, it’s as beautiful and powerful as a Dissection classic, like “Where Dead Angels Lie” or “Thorns of Crimson Death.”

The other tracks are less encompassing as these three but still effective in their focus. “Regret Everything in You” is the most melodic of the bunch; focusing more on the atmospheres rather than the aggression. But, “Two Face Shadow” and closer “Hunter” are its opposite. While, as with every song on the record, they own dark atmospheres and passionate leads, these two pack a punch. The former, with its crushing, black metal pace slays everything in its path; dropping some rather impressive guitar work in the middle. The closer opens with the best intro on the album. Marching forth to its dark destiny. A destiny that includes thrashing riffs akin to those of the mighty Old Man’s Child. But, goddamn, if this song doesn’t do more than that. Acting as the second punch of a sinter duo—the first being “Blood of Qayin”—”Hunter” is one hell of a way to close out the album.

As a whole, Blood of Qayin is a filler-less beast. Though “Profane Breed” flies by without helping or hurting this collection of songs, I wouldn’t call it a waste. That said, my biggest issue would have to be “Throne of Whore.” I don’t know what it is but I don’t like the main riff. Yet, the song gets better toward the end and does a fine job of setting up the title track. These issues aside, one can’t ignore how smooth this album sounds. Sporting a handsome DR9, Blood of Qayin is a pleasure to listen to on repeat. As far as where it stands with the band’s fantastic debut, Incipit Chaos, it’s the predecessor’s equal. So, if you miss Dissection and want help reliving that love you have for Nödtveidt’s unique sound, look no further.

Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 9 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Spread Evil Distribution
Websites: mimorium.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/mimorium
Releases Worldwide: February 21st, 2020

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