CoC : Diabolical Masquerade - Nightwork : Review

Diabolical Masquerade - _Nightwork_
(Avantgarde, 1998)
by: Aaron McKay (8 out of 10)

Most of the CoC readers will know Blackheim from his days with Katatonia. While I confess that I am -not- the world's biggest fan of Katatonia, Diabolical Masquerade is the true essence of why I enjoy side-projects so much. Blackheim lets his Swedish black metal musical expertise run absolutely -wild- on _Nightwork_. This release is mood invoking yet calming, as the music devastates your unconscious self. Listen after listen, _Nightwork_ consistently reminds me of a ransom note. Pieced together haphazardly, yet devastatingly effective with its message. Along with Dan Swano (drums / keyboards / FX / backing vocals) at The Sanctuary, Blackheim pasted this musical ransom note together as a horrific work of art. I will let Diabolical Masquerade's music speak for itself, but if you are up to the challenge of Blackeim's most intricate work yet, pay special attention to track number six, "The Eerie Obzidian Circuz", for some of the most killer black metal riffing and mind-numbing incantations ever laid to music.

(article published 16/1/1999)

ALBUMS
12/8/2001	P Azevedo	9	Diabolical Masquerade - Death's Design
12/8/1996	B Meloon	7	Diabolical Masquerade - Ravendusk in My Heart