Steve Peacock remains one of the busier musicians in metal, as after releasing two full lengths with Ulthar in February he returns with more wild and ever-shifting black metal under the Spirit Possession banner. For those who missed self-titled debut in 2020, Peacock and Ashley Spungin (Taurus, Insect Ark) offered up a quick burst of chaotic riffs and drum patterns that recalled first wave black metal and thrash, sometimes channeling the same unconventional structures as Negative Plane or Funereal Presence. Follow-up Of the Sign… treads a similar path but improves upon it by adding a bit more clarity to the vocals and injecting some creepier interludes that use Spungin’s homemade synthesizers. It’s a wild ride that has one killer riff after another, and while it still feels like Spirit Possession can take some of these ideas even further album number two proves to be another top-notch addition to their discography.
“Orthodox Weapons” kicks things off with haunting synth work that quickly transitions over to free-flowing riffs that immediately grab your attention. While the debut reminded me a bit more of Negative Plane, Of the Sign… actually gives off more of a Funereal Presence comparison with the frantic nature the riffs are strung together and the way they twist and turn. One moment might give off a first wave black metal or heavy metal vibe in tonality, while another goes full on black/thrash before upping the abrasiveness to capture some of that second wave violence. Spirit Possession changes gears quite often, and I appreciate that Spungin continues to be able to match pace with Peacock and keep up with the almost stream of consciousness riffing. It’s akin to being on a rollercoaster, only the track’s on fire and you don’t know if you’re going to make it out alive, yet you have a smile on your face the entire time. The first few listens fly by in a blur with how much is happening on each song, but in between the bending and twisting instrumentation there are genuinely catchy riffs that grab your attention. One of the other big changes from the album’s predecessor is the increased use of the synthesizers, which are used on the interlude “The Hex” and closer “The Altar”. “The Hex” is genuinely creepy with synths that fade in and out like a horror movie soundtrack, while “The Altar” builds organically to a brighter yet still creepy soundscape. These moments of respite give you a chance to breathe between the speed and frenetic nature of the other songs, and I’d like to see Spirit Possession expand upon this side of their sound even further as it gives them a unique atmosphere. Admittedly even with the unpredictable and wild nature of the songwriting, there’s a predictability to the tempos that does result in some moments blurring together, and “Enter the Golden Sign” doesn’t quite justify its nine-minute length. But these are minor criticisms for an album that’s kept me coming back to the point of whiplash, and this duo continues to touch upon the fire and spirit of earlier black metal in ways few bands can.
The vocals were prominent on Spirit Possession’s debut but drenched in so much reverb that it felt like the words were balancing off the rest of the recording and sometimes getting lost. Of the Sign… still has its fair share of reverb and screams that bounce off your speakers, but natural tweaks have been made that make them jump out at the listener more than in the past. Peacock’s performance is just as unhinged as before, coming through as screams and yells that move from raspy pitches to much lower ones in the span of seconds. There are still some moments where the vocals get overwhelmed by how frantic the guitar work is and fade into the background a bit, but overall, the band has made some noticeable tweaks that make the performance stand out as an individual element this time around. And for the Tom G. Warrior fans, there are plenty of the “Ough” grunts to be found throughout On the Sign…
Spirit Possession sits among a handful of US black metal bands whose sound captures the adventurous and free flowing nature of the genre’s earliest days, and their sophomore effort builds naturally upon their debut in ways that makes it even better. There is still room to vary up the tempo just a bit more and I’d like to hear the synthesizers become an even bigger part of the band’s writing, but this is still a fantastic album that’s memorable in its controlled chaos. If you’re a fan of first wave black metal or black/thrash, this one’s a must. Of the Sign… is available from Profound Lore Records.
-Review by Chris Dahlberg