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Although formed only two years ago, Texas' own Dagon are now releasing their second full length: In Desolationem Per Nefandum . A great title and cover art for a Black Metal release. Unfortunately, I was not really into this album, and I still can't seem to be able to get into this work. Not bad by any means, it just does not sink in, as they often say.

Dagon play a somewhat melodic type of mystical Black Metal. They have esoteric concepts involved in their lyrics, and two compositions are directly inspired by those ideologies. The instrumental "The Code of Tritheimus" and "Mind Born Sons of the Barred Radience-the Adoration and Conjuration of the Shining Seven" both contain ambient electronics and dark samplings. The closing track is more like a Satanic prayer with beastie back vocals. All in all, I would say that the guitar is what I have appreciated the most while listening to this CD. It is well in tune with the various manifestations of the Black Metal arts. The sick raspy vocals are sometimes ghostly, but I often found them a bit too upfront. Same goes for the pounding bass drums, making it sound as if you have the usual drumming on one side, and the loud thud created by double basses on the other.

I enjoyed the opening track, "Sukhavati Inverted Ensnaring Paths to Bliss and Misery" and I would also give an honorary mention to "The Kings of Malice Return to Their Rightful Place" as well as "Vestments of Servitudes and Devotion" for their very nice and crushing mid paced parts.