The optical impression (the “Psalm Book“) of Black Church leaves a positive mark: simple, reduced to the essence but yet stylish, the envelope convinces the listener’s eye. Certainly it is more important that the lyrical and acoustical sides are elaborated auspiciously. While I listened to this black album, it took an accustomed effect on me, not many songs wind up in my ears, but my interest is excited to have a closer look at the complex songs – and after a while, the allure of the Finnish Black Metal band unfolds bit by bit.
The album is subdivided into three chapters; part one, entitled Our Life Is In Wormwood Christ, offers a really outstanding song, namely Tango Abstinento, which is supplied with a catchy head-bang part. Following track Chalk Face actually features “hey, hey” – lyrics to bellow along. The voice possesses varying styles, offering nasty screeching, croaky caws and dark rumbling; even some choral-like passages come into operation. I give some credit to ENOCHIAN CRESCENT because they do not restrict their music to speed orgies – and so Black Church offers some breathers and Finnish difference stands in the foreground, pitch-black sentiments arise through rolling mid tempo songs, enriched by intense and implanting lyrics like in Thousand Shadows leaving nothing to be desired! Mentioned song is damned cool and the unfortunately too short Ghost Of Saturn is of same quality. My point of criticism is the playing time which is too short in my opinion, so some ideas seem to be not completely elaborated; but it is better to disperse many good ideas during quite a short time than vice versa!