France gives forth yet another black metal band for fans of the French black metal genre. If there is such a thing. Those familiar with the band Bael take heed, as their guitarist Akhaeus has struck out with his own side project DARK OPUS. Containing only one member, DARK OPUS has released two splits and two demos before this three song EP entitled Ignominious Fundamentals.

As the first song Poisonous Shapes plays, Akhaeus wastes no time getting to the point with his songs. Layered droning guitars with that all too familiar black metal overtone set above the others. The vocals are cold and grim, spewed forth with gut wrenching prowess. The drums are fast with many blast beats among them. This combination though, doesn’t necessarily take it to the next level. By the second track I am already getting bored, as nothing is really standing out to me as far as the music goes. It’s the same old tired black metal formula that’s been heard so many times before. By the third song, I am waiting for a hook that’s going to pull me in and it never comes. Not to say that Akhaeus is a bad musician, he is not by any means. There is effort and enthusiasm heard in his vocals and passion in the way the songs are played. After twelve minutes I am left wondering if I missed something or if it wasn’t there to begin with. DARK OPUS takes a stab at that old black metal traditional style and if that’s what your into then you will find it with the Ignominious Fundamentals EP.