Conjuring the Dead is the tenth studio album by the Austrianblackened death metal band Belphegor. It was released on 5 August 2014 through Nuclear Blast.[1] The album was recorded by Erik Rutan at Mana Recording Studios in USA. The album was preceded by the digital download single "Gasmask Terror", which was released on 1 July 2014.[2] Earlier, on 25 June, a lyric video for the same song was released.[3]
A music video was shot for the title track, which was directed by Walter Fanninger.[4] The album features cover art by Septicflesh bassist Seth Siro Anton.[5]
Track listing
No.
Title
Lyrics
Music
Length
1.
"Gasmask Terror"
Rachael "Hecate" Kozak, Helmuth, Mina Korzan
Helmuth, Serpenth
3:41
2.
"Conjuring the Dead"
Rachael "Hecate" Kozak, Helmuth
Helmuth
4:33
3.
"In Death"
Helmuth, Pagan Megan Leo
Helmuth, Serpenth
4:12
4.
"Rex Tremendae Majestatis"
Sigurd
Helmuth
5:21
5.
"Black Winged Torment"
Sigurd
Helmuth
3:27
6.
"The Eyes" (instrumental)
Helmuth
1:19
7.
"Legions of Destruction"
Helmuth, Mr. Blood Seraph
Helmuth, Serpenth
4:28
8.
"Flesh, Bones and Blood"
Helmuth, Mina Korzan
Helmuth
3:32
9.
"Lucifer, Take Her!"
Helmuth
Helmuth
2:48
10.
"Pactum in Aeternum"
Helmuth
Helmuth
3:18
Total length:
36:39
Special edition DVD
No.
Title
Length
1.
"Rehearsing/Bass/Drum/Guitar Tracking" (Making Of Conjuring the Dead)
11:41
2.
"Vokills Tracking" (Making Of Conjuring the Dead)
3:45
3.
"Angeli Mortis De Profundis" (Live In Liverpool)
3:04
4.
"Diaboli Virtus In Lumbar Est" (Live at Meh Suff Open Air)
4:13
5.
"In Blood – Devour This Sanctity" (Live In Moscow)
6:00
6.
"Feast Upon The Dead" (Unreleased, Live at Eindhoven Metal Meeting)
2:34
7.
"Bondage Goat Zombie" (Live at Party San Festival)
4:57
8.
"Justine Soaked In Blood" (Live at Umea HOM Festival)
After its release, Conjuring the Dead received mixed to positive reviews from music critics. Dave Schalek of About.com said "[...] a densely heavy album with a bludgeoning production courtesy of Erik Rutan, and chock full of excellent songwriting and musicianship. Although fast with plenty of blastbeats, Conjuring The Dead is at its best when Belphegor slow things down to a mid-paced tempo with catchy riffs and deliver an epic sweep to the music."[6] Sammy O'hagar of MetalSucks noted that "Everything is in perfect balance, which is both exhilarating and dangerous. Conjuring the Dead is the ideal snapshot of blackened death metal. It weaves the two genres together seamlessly, then pulls them both apart so each can shine then wonderfully segue back into each other. The blackened parts display a relentless near-grindcore ferocity."[8]
Tony Vilgotsky of Russian metal magazine Dark City rated this album with five out of five stars. He recommended the record "to anyone who respects genuine extreme metal and true heaviness."[11]
[6]
[8]
