ASGAIA rose in the year 1995, out of the ashes of former Death Metal band Damnation, to play dynamic, dark and powerful bleak metal from that date on. The Latin title is arguably related to the well known apothegm In Vino Veritas – but in this case the truth should be hidden/found in flesh.
ASGAIA create a real gloomy atmosphere with the help of the rumbling voice of Thomas, who uses his vocal chords in a similar way than Fernando Ribeiro (Moonspell). The additional clear vocals contribute some extra portions of variability to the performance. The whole thing gets very impressive, if choral-like refrains are presented (like in the fantastic song Obscuring). Infuriated screamed eruptions, bacchanal melodies and relaxed elements are well balanced. The guys take care of some alternation - even if their archetypes like Moonspell or Paradise Lost shine through - ASGAIA use the influences in such a dedicative way that no one could be angry with the band. The interlude QQQ turns out to be an interesting median to boost the suspense, because of its function as calming influence. Enslavery, the following song, is blessed with a wonderful beginning, in the following minutes ASGAIA sound like a raging version of Crematory. Anew the chorus leaves a lasting impression in my mind.
Sometimes the choice of a cover version seems to be not that easy, but ASGAIA demonstrate to have the right touch: In The Dutch Mountains (the awesome original version is performed by The Nits) is turned into an agile lumbering groove monster. That’s the way ASGAIA win me over piece by piece, which proceeds with the next songs; the pumping rhythms and the egregious canto are the two biggest brownie points. The group has a good command of playing fast songs as well, just listen to The End, where the aggressive but yet melodic aspect comes to the fore. Surprisingly ASGAIA offer an instrumental track (entitled Children) of nearly six minutes length towards the end – and it works really well.
In the course of the record the band comes up with some unforeseeable details and as a consequence this musical nutrition grows to a banquet. In the end ASGAIA unwrap a quite long composition named Masculinity containing double bass parts, ear catching refrains and outstanding lead guitar melodies. On top of everything the sound of In Carni Veritas shapes up as clear and differentiated – so there are no deductions on this sector, too. In Carni Veritas can be consumed without harming effects, possible secondary action: addiction!