Siculicidium - Hosszú út az örökkévalóságba (2013)

My introduction and so far only experience with the Romanian's in Siculicidium has been their, A rothadó virágok színüket vesztik, EP, which was more of a compilation of left-overs, while their other short EP, Keringők (Valses) showed some serious interest, although it was just to short. So, a year has past since then and I'm getting treated to the real deal full-length with, Hosszú út az örökkévalóságba, and let me just say, if you can pronounce that title, you are truly a better man than I.

Anyway, Hosszú út az örökkévalóságba, Long Way to Eternity, in English, starts out calmly with, Végtelen út which mixes a lone acoustic melody with something of a raw black metal post-ish build-up, which is quite stunning, to say the least. A bomlás illata kicks things into full gear with the bands brand of raw mid-paced black metal, which while being somewhat typical of the genre, there's a great deal of underlining melancholic melody happening, as well, the vocalist has a completely original take on his vocals. Lesben álló has a charged-up almost rocking riff during its first half, before a brief slow spot, but then comes out full force for its remaining time, while, Kozmikus Zuhanás is considerably more dissonant, grim and just purely frigid sounding black metal the whole way through.

Ezek Vagyunk once again shifts to a slower pace, with a totally ominous riff leading the way, until about the two minute mark, an acoustic passage enters, which then gives way to an unexpected mixture of brass instruments with raw black metal. Near the songs end, a highly memorable melodic lead riff rides the song out on a tremendous epic note, while the vocals are delivered in a spoken manner. Melankólikus Transzcendens brings out the colder side of this duo once again, but occasionally splices in some brass bits, while, the title track is mid-paced and just features hastily spoken clean vocals throughout its duration.

Due to its pace and unusual flow, Hosszú út az örökkévalóságba is a challenging listen. No two songs really sound exactly alike, and that can be both good or bad depending on how you view things. Say one thing for Siculicidium, say that they are diverse, and the addition of many acoustics and the brass instruments certainly spices things up, too. The vocals are truly delivered in a unique tone, as well, almost sounding like fellow countrymen, Attila Csihar, but somehow more agonizing at times, and the many spoken passages clearly stamp their ethnicity all over this one.

The songs all resort to a few riffs and while this sometimes works magic within the genre, it sort of falls short at times here, because some of the riffs are just generic tremolo plucked sameness. Each song achieves an atmosphere, for sure, but the mood often changes, which just makes it a rough ride the whole way.

Either way, I like a few songs on this record and many other little bits here and there. I'd say the band still needs to concentrate on stronger riffs and perhaps more dynamic song structures, but Hosszú út az örökkévalóságba, is pleasing, regardless.