Reviews list for Serpentes - Desert Psalms (2025)

The chaos of Deathspell Omega lies at the very heart of what Portuguese black metallers, Serpentes ply as their trade. Whilst a lot less extreme in terms of the Avant Garde aspects of the sound, Desert Psalms still blusters with that dissonant majesty and imperious arrogance that seethes from the vocals. Reminiscent of Aosoth also about the vocals, there is a deep French connection running through what this (largely) one-man outfit does. Utilising Misþyrming’s drummer on the album is a definite boost to the professionalism on display, Magnús Skúlason puts in quite the shift here, even if you do have to listen intently to pick out his patterns in the frantic noise that smothers you from the off. All that having been said, I find Desert Psalms to be a very memorable experience and can easily recite sections of songs in my head. That’s the sign of a good album.

Fact is, this record has been kicking around my rotation list for a good few weeks now and there is a healthy number of listens under my belt on this one, given it has enjoyed at least one spin per week over the last two months. It is certainly an album that has benefited from repeat visits, with each trip into its darkest depths leaving me curious to come back for more each time. It is a record that I would say I hear more of each time I listen to it. At the same time, it now possesses a strong degree of familiarity also. Those mocking vocals are sublime to my ears each time they spit their derisory lyrics my way. The layers of riffs that dash at me like flicked knives bring welcome wounds as they breach my skin. All the while, the constant threat of something really unhinged getting ready to be unleashed keeps my nerves just on the edge of turmoil every time.

This promised menace never really surfaces, and that is okay, because it is part of the allure that I absolutely crave. If this album swung off into any aspect of total Armageddon inducing audible warfare, then it would lose all its mystery. Thankfully, Ainvar Ara plays his cards close to his chest for the main part, drawing out the tension with the piano key picked opening to the final track, teasing the listener until the very end. Overall, Desert Psalms does feel like a collection of sacred songs. A selection of anthems for followers of the darkest of art forms. A series of canticles for all that is unholy in the glorious world of black metal in which fans of the music inhabit.