Cantu Ignis – The Fathomless Dominion
Release Date: 14th February 2025
Label: Self Released
Stream
Genre: Melodic Death Metal, Symphonic Blackened Death Metal, Symphonic Melodic Death Metal.
FFO: Mors Principium Est, Kalmah, Eternal Tears Of Sorrow, Skyfire.
Review By: Andy Spoon
I think that the best way to describe Cantu Ignis is symphonic blackened death metal, something that feels like a hybrid of about 5 different major elements, all of which contribute in a meaningful way. There is a heavy keyboards presence, which brings chorals, strings, pads, staccato stabs, and electronic interludes. I think that the overall tone is greatly affected by the thorough keys, making the entire offering something that could likely be picked out of a line-up, something that is desperately-important in solidifying a band’s musical “brand”.
One of the other things that I think is vitally-important to the melodic production is the power-metal-esque guitar solo factory that Cantu Ignis employs on every single track. The stereo guitar attack reminds me of days playing Guitar Hero 3, prompting me to play the track over and over again to experience the intricate guitar presence. There’s not a lot of death metal bands who are offering this level of guitar work, let alone power or Viking metal bands. The lack of clean vocals also takes away any hint that this might be a power metal band fronting as a death metal act. This is a fairly straightforward and genuine melodic death metal offering with a substantial higher-pitch vocal attack and a heavy synth section.
The record only features 6 tracks, but whose tracks often eclipse more than 6 minutes, making it a full LP, undoubtedly. I think that fans of long and meandering tracks will really appreciate this effort, as the tracks have long segments devoted to one or two specific movements, or have a 2 minute-solo vamp after a symphonic lull. It’s a great listeners’ album, versus something that makes for the Satie-esque background noise. This is a great album to sip a drink to or blaze your favorite herb while kicking back and just absorbing some of the insanity. There’s obviously no question that some of the Juno/Prophet synth stabs and twinkles are a little old-fashioned, some donned straight from the late 1980s in a couple of moments. However, it’s pretty clear that the band is not necessarily going for realistic eeriness; Instead, they are seemingly trying to create an atmosphere that has blends of blackened death metal vocals, Emerson Lake and Palmer synths, power metal solos, and super long track times. The Fathomless Dominion is set for release on February 14th.
(4 / 5)
