Rephormula

RePhormula is Earache's re-release of Ephel Duath's 2000 Code666 debut, Phormula, yet it also captures much more of Ephel Duath's career and is a welcome introduction to this Italian electronic/death metal duo. Spanning the gamut from ambient digital beats to atmospheric death morbidity, Ephel Duath appeals to many different musical tastes. This lengthy album allows the listener to whet their appetite with a very unique take on gothic eccentricity, and along with Phormula in its entirety there are also two songs remixed and a sampling of Ephel Duath's original demo, 1998's Opera. While half of Ephel Duath's dynamic duo has since departed from the group, this is still an accurate portrayal of what will come with future albums. RePhormula is quite the macabre conglomeration of musical elements, from rapid-fire blast beats to moody, synthesized mystique. Occasionally Ephel Duath's music sounds vaguely magical, containing a dark carnival-esque tone reminiscent of Mr. Bungle, yet it remains firmly rooted in gothic metal territory with agonizing vocal growls and seizure-inducing guitar riffs. Haunting, passionate, deceptive, technical — all words which in some way relate to Ephel Duath, and RePhormula is certainly one of the most intriguing black metal albums to be released. ~ Jason D. Taylor, Rovi