Paymon "Follow The Path" CD

Comes with a 12 pages Booklet limited 300 copies. Released by Schattenkult Produktionen.

Schattenkult are back with another great release after the ones by Nigredo and Seer of Gallows. Italian one man force Paymon are one of the constant members of the label’s roster so I am glad to see them return with their third full length “Follow the Path”. The title of this album is already a good indication of what to expect as Lord Skarn has no intention of leaving his path or exploring new territory. Instead he concentrates all his creative force on producing another piece of nasty and grim black metal. Nearly 47 minutes of bleak and merciless music for traditionalists is the outcome.
The scalding vocal hostility by the lord himself is indeed cold and cruel, and the rapidly vibrating riffs consist of freakish pulsations and seething swarms of menace, while a forlorn yet grand through-line of melody rises and falls within each of the songs. Hammering percussion, roiling riffs, and the traditional screams and shrieks are an important presence in the music, channeling full-throttle hostility and sulfurous viciousness. While the harmonies can be cold, bleak, and desolate they often come with surprisingly panoramic grandeur. Songs like “Dark Landscape” offer a great take on everything which made black metal so enjoyable in the first place.
The album’s overarching atmosphere is one of unearthly menace. As the rippling chords hit with hellish aggressiveness the feelings of delirium and hopelessness they channel are often either cruel and despairing or melancholic, and in either case are devoid of lighter feelings. The single tracks are put together with smooth transcendence that conveys a cascade of grim black metal brilliance with seamless progression. There is never a weak section to throw things out, always charging forth with precision and the will to spread the fire.
While the first two records were both exquisite, this third slab of ritualistic blackened art is even better with a marvelous array of killer riffs, entrancing leads, varied drum work and haunting vocals. The key melodies have been refined as well as the songwriting which feels perfectly edited. While some motifs seem to be repeated with slight variation over the course of the album I never felt bored while listening. Coming with a fantastic old school cover artwork and a great production merging rawness, dynamic and clarity “Follow the Path” is a safe bet for loyal genre fans and another belter by Schattenkult.

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