OPERA IX “Strix Maledictae in Aeternum”

OPERA IX
“Strix Maledictae in Aeternum”
(Agonia)
This one has been a long time coming. I remember the first time I got to hear about Opera IX and how excited I was back then. That was a long time ago and with a different vocalist. No it’s 2012 and Opera IX is back with a new album. I have had a rollercoaster relationship with the band. I’ve liked some albums while others have been less to my liking. This new one is one of the better. Full of black metal with a soul this makes for an interesting journey down the nether regions of Purgatorium. It’s a journey into the darkest pits of human mind. A journey not many people want to do. There’s a symphonic touch to this album that pretty much has become the trademark of Opera IX that gives this album an edge. It’s not as middle of the road as some of their previous albums have been. This gives me a renewed hope for Opera IX. Let’s just hope that it doesn’t take 7 more years for a new album to arrive. Anders Ekdahl