Deathspell Omega - Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice (2004) Repress [2015]

French black metal band formed in 1998 in Poitiers. The demo Disciples Of The Ultimate Void was released by Drakkar Productions in 1999. Initially, Deathspell Omega produced raw, traditional black metal akin to Darkthrone's Transilvanian Hunger. However, their 2004 release, Si monvmentvm reqvires, circvmspice, marked a change to a vastly more technical, experimental, and well-recorded sound featuring such musical influences as Russian Orthodox chanting and choral music. Their lyrical content deals primarily with Satanism on a metaphysical level  as the band has stated that "all other interpretations of Satan are intellectually invalid" and other various theological topics. They have also released a trilogy of concept albums which focus on the theological aspects of God, Satan and man's relationship with the two. 

The band's work after Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice has been even more experimental and technical, with their output in 2005, Kénôse, "Mass Grave Aesthetics" and "Diabolus absconditus" totaling nearly eighty minutes in length, longer than Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice.

 There is little to no concrete information about Deathspell Omega's lineup, they do not have any official website, social media platform or promotional photos, have never performed live and do not list credits in their releases. Finnish musician Mikko Aspa is most commonly cited as the vocalist. It is known that Hirilorn vocalist Shaxul was Deathspell Omega's vocalist until 2002, and has gone on record as leaving due to displeasure with the band's shift in themes.

 Early interviews were deeply critical of the black metal scene, and the last interview they agreed to until 2019 was conducted by their North American label The Ajna Offensive, with questions and answers sent through the band's exclusive label, Norma Evangelium Diaboli, to preserve their identity. In a 2018 interview with Loudwire, Tobias Forge, lead singer of the band Ghost, stated that the French synthwave artist Carpenter Brut (Franck Hueso) was Deathspell Omega's producer.

 

 

-Tracklist:

 A1. First Prayer.    5:43
A2. Sola Fide I.    5:13
A3. Sola Fide II.    7:53
B1. Second Prayer.    4:41
B2. Blessed Are The Dead Whiche Dye In The Lorde.    5:47
B3. Hétoïmasia.    7:08
C1. Third Prayer.    3:57
C2. Si Monvmentvm Reqvires, Circvmspice.    6:31
C3. Odivm Nostrvm.    4:45
C4. Jvbilate Deo (O Be Joyfvl In The Lord).    6:07
D1. Carnal Malefactor.    11:44
D2. Drink The Devil's Blood.    4:31
D3. Malign Paradigm.    3:39

 

-Line up:

 • Khaos : Bass
 • Hasjarl : Guitars
 • Mikko Aspa : Vocals.

 

 

 Label: Norma Evangelium Diaboli.

 Gatefold cover with printed lyrics on the inner pages.
Delivered with A2 poster.

Tracks subtitles in Latin and English (as reported on the back cover):
A1: "Omnis humana cogitatio in fundamentis putrefactionis conditur..."
A2 & A3: "O Satan, I acknowledge you as the Great Destroyer of the Universe..."
B1: "Oh Satan, you're the God before whom I stand Live your life in me..."
B2: "Stare wide-eyed at this dense pitch boiling by the art divine..."
B3: "Hearken, thou, until I relate things that shall come to pass..."
C1: "Ere thou enter father in such mysteries, comprehend..."
C2: "The monument of a deceiving spirit..."
C3: "-Let them praise by great and terrible name; for it is holy."
C4: "From the Thirteen Apostles men..."
D1: "Below the lid of a vast rounded monument..."
D2: "Come to Him in belief, accept truth as lies and lies as truth..."
D3: "Dei nostri templum terrarum orbus est."