Rorcal — Heliogabalus
Heliogabalus is the latest release. Let’s get the major details out of the way; this is one song that lasts just shy of 70 minutes. The song was written as a composition to illustrate the decay of the eccentric and decadent roman emperor Heliogabalus (hence the title).
This work is massive to say the least, massive in sound, in atmosphere and in emotion. It all starts with a huge doom riffing guitars and straining, raspy vocals. From there the song twists and turns slowly through psychedelic-laced and drone heavy atmospheres. Primitive drumming lends a trance-like effect to the proceedings. Vocally there is a painful, anguishing tone to the whole affair and it is appropriate to the music and subject.
Touches of drone, doom and some truly beautiful black metal tremolo riffs are combined to create a dark, terrifying and depraved setting. Some of the moments are pure gloom, but the musicians are so capable they perform Heliogabalus with razor like precision and heavy emotion, always keeping a rein on the composition yet letting the aggressiveness shine through.
Though the song is a long one, there is never a quiet moment. There may be lulls but the achingly slow, crushingly heavy work in unyielding. Too long, maybe so; it is unquestionably something that begs to be listened to in a dark room, uninterrupted. Yet the massive heaviness of it cannot be denied.