FAUSTIAN – PARABLE OF THE SEWER

Even before a single note is heard, "Parable of the Sewer" makes a striking first impression through its bleak and unsettling artwork, hinting at the darkness waiting within. That promise is fulfilled the moment 'I Curse You' erupts from the speakers. Relentless blast beats, poisonous vocals, and razor-sharp guitar work collide in an uncompromising display of blackened aggression, capturing the raw spirit of the genre's second wave while retaining a razor-tight modern precision. Amid the chaos, a slower, dragging bridge adds welcome depth and atmosphere before the song plunges back into its furious assault. It is a ferocious opening statement that immediately defines the album's uncompromising character. 

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'Broken Better' shifts the album into darker territory, favouring oppressive weight over relentless speed. Ghostly background voices and thick, distorted guitar work create an immediate sense of unease, anchored by powerful drumming that drives the composition forward with purpose. The harsh vocal performance remains commanding yet restrained, while a whispered spoken-word section introduces an eerie contrast that deepens the song's already sinister atmosphere. 'Immaculate' returns to the album's relentless black metal assault, driven by blistering intensity and uncompromising aggression. The vocal performance takes on a more narrative quality, with venomous whispers and snake-like hissing adding an unsettling dimension without sacrificing its brutal edge. Instrumentally, the band once again delivers a powerful and cohesive performance, although a handful of passages blur the line between deliberate chaos and a slightly overcrowded mix. Even so, the song maintains its oppressive atmosphere and reinforces the album's uncompromising character.

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'Cephalophore' unfolds with an unmistakably ritualistic atmosphere, immediately creating the impression of witnessing an ancient ceremony rather than simply listening to a song. Chanted choir passages drift beneath crushing riffs and hypnotic drumming, steadily intensifying the sense of unease. When the vocals emerge, they seem to rise from the depths of the mix, growing darker and more menacing as the composition progresses. The result is one of the album's most immersive and unsettling moments, perfectly embodying the oppressive character that defines "Parable of the Sewer". It also stands as one of my personal highlights. 

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'Tenements (Only the Wicked Walk in Circles)' carries the album towards its closing moments with another uncompromising display of black metal aggression. Powerful musicianship, razor-sharp riffing, and relentless drumming once again showcase FAUSTIAN's technical ability, while subtle shifts in tempo keep the composition engaging throughout. Although it may not reach the same heights as some of the album's standout moments, it remains a strong and well-crafted piece that reinforces the record's oppressive atmosphere.

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'The Rot Shall Inherit the Earth' brings "Parable of the Sewer" to a fitting conclusion, opening with clean, reverb-soaked guitar melodies that provide a brief moment of calm after the album's relentless brutality. The unsettling sound of buzzing flies immediately conjures images of decay, perfectly complementing both the title and the song's oppressive atmosphere. Before long, marching drums, crushing guitar work, and venomous, spit-soaked vocals pull the listener back into FAUSTIAN's nightmarish world. With every passing minute, the composition grows darker and more menacing, building towards a finale steeped in disgust, hatred, and unease. It is a powerful closing statement that leaves a lasting impression long after the final note has faded.

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With "Parable of the Sewer", FAUSTIAN delivers a ferocious and uncompromising black metal record that never loses sight of atmosphere or musicianship. Blending raw aggression with haunting, ritualistic darkness, the band creates an album that is both immersive and relentlessly intense. While not every composition leaves the same lasting impression, "Parable of the Sewer" stands as a confident and rewarding release that firmly establishes FAUSTIAN as one of Australia's most compelling extreme metal acts.

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SCORE 8.5/10

REVIEWED BY SWAMPY