Review by Jeger on July 23, 2024.

Finland’s own Azaghal are among the most prestigious of the Finnish black metal elite. Boasting one of the world of black metal’s most vast and comprehensive discographies, they have, since 1998, been a proud staple in most BM monger’s catalogues. And for very good reason. Some of their finest albums: 2002’s “Of Beasts and Vultures”, 2012’s “Nemesis” and their latest opus, “Alttarini on luista tehty”, just a few of the groundbreaking LP’s that have been bestowed upon their legion. And it only gets sweeter with age.

Black Faith are one of the obscure yet celebrated Italian black metal scene’s most impactful collectives. Having been birthed by Satan’s whore in the purest Hellfire back in 2004, they are late bloomers to an Italian conglomerate that began not after but alongside the Scandinavian and Greek movements. A scarce discography in comparison to Azaghal’s but a worthy one nonetheless. And no finer example of contemporary Italian black metal. In the age-olde tradition of collaboration and the spreading of Satan’s black gospel, Azaghal and Black Faith released their split record, “Immortalized In Luciferian Blood” in April under the black mark of Nero Corvino Records.

During the first half of “Immortalized In Luciferian Blood”, Azaghal establish a firm grip upon the jugular of the recording; incurring upon your filthy souls three stripped-down in comparison to their latest LP and rotten-to-the-core album cuts in “Paholaisen Musta Kieli”, “Kaikki Kuolevat Yskin” and “Ikuisuus Huutaa Hiljaa”. A different side to the band here; a bit more grime and the lowliest melodies to lull you into a state of diabolical revelry in the only way Azaghal are capable of: world-class, elite (there’s that word again) and as always uncompromising in their approach to the black craft.

Black Faith take on the challenge of following up such a fine contribution and do the spirits proud with three infernal tracks of their own: “Lesser Gods”, “Cold Fire of the Soul” and “Ethica Moralis”. Their style a subtle homage to the earliest days of the Italian scene but with a modernized touch that compliments the prior contribution as opposed to transporting you back to the Golden Age. We’ve all been there a million times, so eyes forward and on with the sacrificial rites as given by one of Italy’s most sinister outfits. Thrash-laden black metal that channels the dawning of the thrash movement with chugging riffs and greasy speed metal progressions. A headbanger! Can’t really say that about too many black metal albums.

“Immortalized In Luciferian Blood” is as fine and as straightforward as splits come. No off-putting remixes, live cuts or covers; only the kind of artisan quality you’ve come to expect from both bands. Hands down, one of the most well-put-together collaborations I’ve had the pleasure of laying ears upon. And what better way to have it than under the warm gaze of His Infernal Majesty? From the cover art down to the very last note, a near perfect record and a fine example of one group bringing out the best in another.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Felix on December 15, 2023.

Are Azaghal immortal? Well, after 25 years in business they have reached at least a little of immortality, right? On this split called Immortalized In Luciferian Blood, they come up with three pieces of which the second is the most unusual. 'Kaikki Kuolevat Yksin' starts like a kind of dark rock song with deep, very controlled lead vocals. More or less typical diabolic black metal vocals show up at the end, but they do not characterize the song. The same goes for its partly pretty furious center part. Given this, the song is more or less a surprise in the opulent portfolio of the Finnish legend.

Their remaining tracks break in like a blizzard. I prefer 'Ikuisuus Huutaa Hiljaa', because the opener suffers a bit from its stop-and-go guitar lines. No big deal, but nuances make the difference in a challenging competition. Anyway, 'Paholaisen Musta Kieli' scores with expressive, tragic guitar lines before a thundering high-speed section brings the song to its end. The already mentioned final track of Azaghal has the potential to drive you insane. Its menacing riffs create a cloudy, grey sky before your inner eye, the merciless speed of the drums and the murderous guitar work ensure a hellish density and so the listener cannot ignore a voice in his head which gets louder and louder, saying: "Black metal is the real thing". True.

To me, Black Faith from Italy were a blank slate so far. Nevertheless, they are no newcomers and their songs shine with coherence and a good flow. By the way, 'Lesser God' flows directly into the next track which welcomes the listener with extremely memorable, profoundly heavy riff. This opening is as wonderful as Italian food, if I am not mistaken. Generally speaking, Black Faith also transport a truly discomforting mood. Okay, this can be expected on a black metal split album, but it is definitely surprising that the Italians do not stand in the shadow of Azaghal. The slightly robotic voice does not appear as the optimal solution for the lead vocals, but they are still good and I do not see any other weak points.

Just like their partners from the cold North, the (only) two dudes of Black Faith commute between fairly melodic parts and apocalyptic shredding. 'Cold Fire Of The Soul' shows both facets impressively without making it impossible to decode the songs. It is rather easy to get access to the tracks. It would be not fair to call some sections of their songs primitive. Nevertheless, sometimes the Italians sound like the black metal edition of At War (and I hope you remember this thrash band with an affinity for rather simple structures)... Conclusion - despite this successful cooperation, neither Black Faith nor Azaghal are immortal. However, this split increases their glory. Six well produced tracks from two churlish formations are always a reason to feel good, especially if they lead you very close to the sinister core of the sub-genre. And exactly that’s the case here.

Rating: 8 out of 10