I had been waiting for this day for over a year now. Despite knowing we would only be getting 4 new tracks, my wonderment over मृत्यु का तापसी अनुध्यान and Infernal Vlad's work on the Death Karma project left me little choice but to obsess over the promise of Life, Sex and Death. I have been checking back on their Facebook page almost daily for the past few months like a Justin Timberlake fangirl hiding in the bushes. And now, finally, it is time to hear the new EP from these Czech-based masters of esoteric melodic black metal.
The wait was well worth it. The anticipation for a release such as this could have easily killed my reaction due to hype, but Vlad has once again proven himself to be one of the most essential figures in today's black metal lexicon. I am not being hyperbolous when I say that Infernal Vlad and company should go down in metal history with the same esteem as figures such as Euronymous, Dead, Fenriz, and Varg. But enough praise for the flesh. It is the music that will stand the test of time.
The less I say about the music, the better. Like a butterfly drifting through a spring field, to reach out and grab it would be to upset the tranquil scene...and perhaps destroy its fragile form altogether. Let me just say that those who enjoyed मृत्यु का तापसी अनुध्यान should find themselves at home. The Middle Eastern influences and sitar have returned once more, perhaps even more lush and mysterious than before. "Chinnamasta Mantra" is particularly gorgeous, with Vlad stepping away from the vocals entirely to allow Gurmeet Kaurs' feminine voice to float amongst the peaceful melodies like dandelions in the wind.
But it's not all Life and Sex; after all there is still plenty of "Death" to deal with. This track is easily the heaviest with plenty of harsh snarls and blackened beats to bring dark storm clouds over the whole affair. But true to form, Cult of Fire temper the sinister with the ethereal. Like the goddess on the cover, the band summons energies that are as awe-inspiring as they are terrifying. In this they have created one of the finest releases of the year, and perhaps the best example of where atmospheric and melodic forms of black metal should be headed in the future.