Though it might appear that the renowned artist at the helm of Ruïm is seeking to glom, or, pile additional spiritual perspective onto their own ‘ready rich syncretism the myriad self engages this point of guided entrancement (per their own left-hand modifications to an esoteric Afro-Brazilian spiritual pathway) as a necessary change of scenery and conversation. One could consider this first strike from the project a pandemic-era manifestation of necessity to some degree as its search speaks to a struggle away from confinement through intellectual-spiritual interest meant to feed the avant-garde urge, the vacuum of the ‘other’ within and the siphon of outer expectation aligned. The debut full-length from this Portugal and France-based black metal duo appears as a shard of the salvaged self manifesting equal parts freshened perspective, a fight against idle hands, and a deeply-set signature statement. ‘Black Royal Spiritism – I.O Sino da Igreja‘ does little to deny the muscle memory if its songwriter and in this sense has considerable face value though it is the nuanced mood of the experience and the patient immersion it demands that helps it ring of gleefully idiosyncratic magickry and willing possession rather than a short-expiry side project per circumstance.

Ruïm was formed circa 2020 by way of ex-Mayhem, Aura Noir and Vltimas guitarist Blasphemer an artist who we could attribute many great works and a signature compositional sensibility which embraces dissonance in phrase, leans into brutality for effect and builds surreal atmosphere in most every case. Though my introduction to his work was likely ‘Chimera‘ back in 2004 it’d be his contributions to Absu (and its spiritual succession) that’d ensured I’d not lost the pulse beyond that point. Up front I’d suggest that all of your expectations will be met in terms of technical acumen, intense pacing, dynamic and somewhat challenging black metal scenery as the Norwegian guitarist/vocalist presents a fully fleshed sound and style which feels familiar but not grotesquely redundant. Beyond the sense that this was the obsession of the artist during ye olde lockdown of MMXX there is no real provenance here that feels entirely relevant beyond the addition of French drummer César Vesvre who is best known as the current live drummer for Agressor and Arkhon Infaustus.

To render the album with a note of seriousness ‘Black Royal Spiritism – I.O Sino da Igreja‘ arrives alongside the suggestion of ambition, that it is first of a trilogy of concept albums which commune with the spirit realm and portray the left hand path through Blasphemer‘s eyes. In the case of this first part the exploration seems equal parts intellectual and spiritual with lyrics which result from exposure to the unique ancient-yet-modern traditions of Umbanda, a relatively new Brazil-stoked religion with an already compelling history that’ll immediately appeal to community-minded occultists and singularity seekers alike who believe there is great wisdom left untapped in the realm of the dead. This is only part of what loosely guides the experience and there is some sense that the project arrives at a point where Ruïm sets itself up to be the solo vision of Blasphemer who intends to share the direct current of his eclectic mind and not necessarily to curate religion or history to the listener. Otherwise I cannot speak to the lyrics directly and the interest in the lyrics more-or-less dies there ’til I’ve got the sheet in hand.

For the 2000’s Mayhem fan it should become quickly apparent that Ruïm fills the blind spot left beyond ‘Ordo ad Chao‘ in some respects as the artist suggests that the “rediscovery of a long lost tape of old, unused Mayhem-era riffs from 98/99” was partial catalyst for the shaping of this project. The stars align alongside this notion as we find ‘Black Royal Spiritism – I.O Sino da Igreja‘ peering over its shoulder back to some of that orthodox/occult black metal-era feeling while presenting a more measured, atmospherically rich vision which lines up with atmospheric and dissonant black metal of a certain lucidity. The sole single from the release, “The Triumph (Of Night & Fire)“, provides a clear enough array of those characteristics which define the experience. The real finesse of the song and the album as a whole can be found condensed within the stretches of surreal clean guitar lines and aggressive, thrashing machinery which balances the rabid with the unreal as the album builds its case for possession and consult with wise and demented spirits. This moment is however set mid-conversation after the three act ride of ~10 minute opener “Blood Sacrifice Enthronement” has given us a more broad showcase of the album’s nigh progressive lilt, a dark and solitary presence forms between tentative pacing and Blasphemer‘s generally coherent hissed vocal style. The bending and weaving nature of this song sets the right tone for the full listen though I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t a bit much for listeners expecting a brutal firestorm off the bat per Vltimas. All in all this record goes more places, darker places compared to ‘Something Wicked Marches In‘ though the introductory moments will require some patience as the opener slowly ramps up.

There’ll be no surprise that this album thrives within its faster paced, riff-forward pieces as the intensity of the shorter ~4-5 minute songs tend to be the most ear catching, active and gripping sections with “Fall of Seraphs”, “The Black House” and closer “O Sino da Igreja” lending enough thrashing-black ferocity likely to win over the curious Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû and Aura Noir fandom lending an ear to the event. That is where I’d found the most interest overall as Ruïm kept the heady motion blur of their atmosphere rippling through even the most brutal sections of the full listen. “Black Royal Spiritism” makes good on emphasizing the atmospheric qualities of the band in a more focused way though I’d found the late album instrumental “Ao Rio” more-or-less landed as filler or a far too extended preamble for the high point served by the closer. The result is an ideal balance of surrealism and violence which is appreciable for its density and depiction in motion rather than any inherently memorable qualities. As a full listen the experience is lithe as it is damaging, a trip delivered with (again) a signature finesse which quickly characterizes ‘Black Royal Spiritism – I.O Sino da Igreja‘ as a debut from the very capable hands of a pro but also a record which’ll land best with the underground extremist looking for a more personal connection over the usual arena-sized bombast. Though I didn’t connect with the album in a particularly deep way it did deliver a concentrated stab at what I like most about Blasphemer‘s work and in that sense it manages to be a record which reinforces my own fandom by sheer entertainment value. A moderately high recommendation.

---