Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult - Mardom (2019)

Containing members of Bethlehem and Purgatory, the grandly named Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult host a plethora of experience amongst their ranks, and this shines nicely on Mardom, the bands sixth full-length release. Think the chaotic and ritualistic vocals of Mayhem and Bethlehem, combine this with the blasting fury of Gorgoroth and the relentless execution of Marduk and you are close to the sound of DNS.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer and subsequently overcoming the illness in 2021, DNS vocalist Yvonne Wilczynska (Onielar) shows why she is so deft at fronting Bethlehem with her grim and ghastly vocals shrieked over the wall of tremolos and blastbeats that make up Mardom’s ten tracks. Unafraid to drop the tempo down a few gears every now and again, tracks like A Beseechment Twofold really show how the band can grow a track into a nefarious number. Onielar’s clumsy vocals sitting perfectly atop the varied soundscape on this track showing the accessibility of the unclean vocals should you take the time to listen to them.

This, the longest and best track on the album is a great centrepiece to the record and sets up the final half superbly. The strong bass presence on The Boundless Beast help accentuate a hint of progression in the middle section of the track before we land back in that much more familiar blasting territory. The atmospheric palate-cleanser, Widma tempers the final third of the album nicely with a simple yet effective use of cavernous drone and vague, dissonant flurries.

Comparisons with Bethlehem seem almost inevitable, but DNS come across as being in control of their art as opposed to just blasting by with devout insanity to lead the way. They are almost certainly a conventional black metal band, yet they are an artist with one eye firmly on composition and the strength that can be released from adding variety here and there also.