Review by Brian on January 12, 2016.

When I first saw the artwork for Arcana 13's debut Danza Macabra, I thought it looked familiar. Not this particular piece but the style. It reminded me of poster for a Dario Argento film. After reading the press kit, I see it was for good reason. Legendary movie poster artist Enzo Sciotti, who has done posters for Argento, Fulci and David Lynch to name a few, lends his talents for this awesome cover. However, I'm supposed to be reviewing the music not the cover. At the same time, cover art has always been important to me. It can, and should, add to the overall experience of the album.

On to the music. These Italians play traditional doom metal, drenched in 70's hard rock, using horror themes to strengthen their overall atmosphere. They draw similarities to several bands, most notable would be Blood Farmers. Danza Macabra, like Blood Farmers brilliant Headless Eyes, is as much influenced by Goblin as it is Black Sabbath. In fact, Arcana 13 provide a rendition of fellow countrymen Goblin's classic "Suspiria" from the Dario Argento film of the same title. All the pieces are falling into place now.

Album opener "Dread Ritual" is pure traditional doom with a fuzzy hefty guitar tone. The vocals are similar to Magnus Pelander of Witchcraft, another one of those bands they fit in with. Although the first two tracks are good, the third song "Land of Revenge" is the first to really stand out. It has a Ghost-esque vibe to it, with a little more of an occult rock feel. It only gets stronger after that with "Oblivion Mushroom". It's soft psychedelic beginning gives way to fuzzed out chugging guitars, wailing vocals and a thunderous rhythm section whose intention has to be to cave in your skull. As for the "Suspiria" cover, they do good at making it their own. This always worries me when bands cover songs, but they make it a much different song while keeping the original idea firmly intact. Closer "Hell Behind You" is another of the more memorable songs on the album. It has some of the best riffs of the 8 tracks.

Arcana 13 put forth a strong effort on Danza Macabra and it results in a very good debut. It's not without it's hiccups, but overall it's a solid record with a few amazing songs, that more than make up for the weaker moments.

Review by Alex on February 18, 2021.

Man I feel so sorry for Mausoleum, the sweethearts decided it would be a good idea to appear on a split with the Japanese death/doom butchers Anatomia. Not that their musical contribution on the split was lackluster or bad or anything negative, it's just Anatomnia's 3 songs on the split totally steal the show to a point in which it no longer appears to be a split between two bands. Mausoleum is from the United States and they've been around since 2001. They possess quite a wealth of experience within their lineup in which current members have had their hands in bands such as Incantation, Disma, Morpheus Descends and Geheena, hence there is no questioning the skills of this group. The 4 tunes they offer here are old school to the rotten core. You're going to love tracks like 'Voices From Beyond' and 'The Dark Abysmal'. Thrashing craziness, slugging doom metal movements and brass knuckle fist to the face mid tempo swings. You can't go wrong. For fans the thrash era during its deadly transformation into death metal will appreciate every bit of Mausoleum's work on the split.

Anatomia, what else can be said about the death/doom Godzilla that has not already been said. Every-time they raise their ugly heads from the swamps of Japan, the very same result could be guaranteed and evidently comes to fruition. Cavernous growling from the deepest depths of nowhere, bone crushing guitar motions and absolutely lifeless doom metal heaviness. Godless the incantations being 'Mangled Flesh', 'Rotting Innards' and the mystical, murky, mesmerizing yet inanimate 'In the Crypt'. The many faces of evil combined into 3 tracks of disastrous decadence. I hope this is a taste of what's to come from a future full length followup to Cranial Obsession, it's been too damn long since the release of that terror. Nonetheless, this split will suffice nicely until the next installment. It would also be great if Mausoleum can follow up with something along the lines of what they were able to offer here. Sick things seem to be on the horizon.

Rating: 8.6 out of 10

Review by Alex on February 18, 2021.

Man I feel so sorry for Mausoleum, the sweethearts decided it would be a good idea to appear on a split with the Japanese death/doom butchers Anatomia. Not that their musical contribution on the split was lackluster or bad or anything negative, it's just Anatomnia's 3 songs on the split totally steal the show to a point in which it no longer appears to be a split between two bands. Mausoleum is from the United States and they've been around since 2001. They possess quite a wealth of experience within their lineup in which current members have had their hands in bands such as Incantation, Disma, Morpheus Descends and Geheena, hence there is no questioning the skills of this group. The 4 tunes they offer here are old school to the rotten core. You're going to love tracks like 'Voices From Beyond' and 'The Dark Abysmal'. Thrashing craziness, slugging doom metal movements and brass knuckle fist to the face mid tempo swings. You can't go wrong. For fans the thrash era during its deadly transformation into death metal will appreciate every bit of Mausoleum's work on the split.

Anatomia, what else can be said about the death/doom Godzilla that has not already been said. Every-time they raise their ugly heads from the swamps of Japan, the very same result could be guaranteed and evidently comes to fruition. Cavernous growling from the deepest depths of nowhere, bone crushing guitar motions and absolutely lifeless doom metal heaviness. Godless the incantations being 'Mangled Flesh', 'Rotting Innards' and the mystical, murky, mesmerizing yet inanimate 'In the Crypt'. The many faces of evil combined into 3 tracks of disastrous decadence. I hope this is a taste of what's to come from a future full length followup to Cranial Obsession, it's been too damn long since the release of that terror. Nonetheless, this split will suffice nicely until the next installment. It would also be great if Mausoleum can follow up with something along the lines of what they were able to offer here. Sick things seem to be on the horizon.

Rating: 8.6 out of 10