Possession: Exorkizein (2017)

Yesterday's post declared Necrot's Blood Offerings the top debut full-length of the year.  This is possibly the closest competitor, and this is a damn good album as well.  Possession is a blackened death metal band from Belgium, of all places, who have a number of EPs and demos under their belt.  Previously, the best band I was aware of from Belgium was Aborted, so I am pretty excited to find a new, quality band from the country.

Possession sounds a lot like Behemoth circa Zos Kia Cultus.  It is a blasphemic, dark and evil sound, complete with foreboding organ music opening the album and filled to the brim with hateful, black metal-styled riffs and some heavy low-end.  The album kicks off with a needless intro, but quickly moves into the monstrous "Sacerdotium", the highlight of the album.  The vocals are delivered in more of a black metal-esque rasp, but deeper.  "In Vain" is another highlight with the first doom metal-esque riff that eventually segues into a faster-paced section. 

There are only a couple of minor missteps.  The band utilizes some samples for atmospheric effect that could have been skipped, especially at the beginning of "In Vain" where the organ music leads into a spoken word section that is completely out of place.

Possession is a very promising blackened death metal band.  This is an impressive debut full-length for the young band.