BAAL Epitaphion CD

The 2021 album Epitaphion by the Portuguese project Baal, released via Nekrogoat Heresy Productions, represents a solemn and powerful return to the underground for one of the scene's most reclusive entities. Although the project was founded in 1999 by the multi-instrumentalist Arcanus, also known for his work in Inner Helvete, this second full-length effort arrived after more than a decade of silence following its 2010 predecessor. Issued in a strictly limited CD digifile edition of 200 copies, the record eschews modern trends in favor of a cold, melodic, and quintessentially European style of Black Metal that evokes the grim atmosphere of the mid-90s. Musically, the album is a solo manifestation where Arcanus handles all instruments and vocals, creating a cohesive soundscape defined by freezing guitar tones and a relentless sense of desolation. The production is sharp and polished yet retains a raw edge that emphasizes the emotional weight of the compositions. Across its six tracks, including the expansive centerpiece Wolves Gathering for the Hunt and the closing descent of Disown the Essence of Letting Go, the album explores themes of death, occultism, and the inevitable decay of the soul. By balancing aggressive, high-velocity sections with mournful melodic passages, Epitaphion stands as a refined testament to the enduring spirit of the Portuguese Black Circle, positioning Baal as a project that favors artistic depth and atmospheric immersion over frequent output.