Album Review: Wrath of Logarius - Crown of Mortis
Reviewed by Sam Jones
The moment I saw this band with the name of a Bloodborne character, I instantly gave it my attention (and special credit must be given to their logo, perhaps styled after Castle Cainhurst too). Curiously Wrath Of Logarius have recently changed their name; the band originally formed in 2021 out of California, United States, and were first dubbed Martyr Logarius however that name change occurred back in 2023 and the band have been thus referred to as their current moniker. Prior to changing their name though the band had managed to put out an EP, Necrotic Assimilation, before 2023 was out, immediately bringing eyes and ears over to their corner. Establishing themselves as “Formless Black Metal”, Wrath Of Logarius take after their namesake and have assembled a monstrous form to take on all comers. Crown Of Mortis, their fearsome debut album, is due out April 4th via Season Of Mist.
Vocally the band are a surprise since they primarily utilise a delivery that’s much more typical of death metal, and then bring in a more blackened style now and again. I think it works with the style of black metal the band perform though as their riffs are far chunkier and more pronounced than other blackened acts. The vocals help them stand out additionally because I can actually follow along to what they’re saying, it’s a rare instance where black metal gives us an option of comprehending every syllable. As a result, the band give audiences a chance to really sink deeply into their “formless black metal”philosophy, especially the Lovecraftian angle given their namesake. There’s also the tempo they’re performed with to; the steady pace their lyrics are pronounced with really allows the small intonations to come forth, bleeding with malice as we willingly hang on to every word wondering which vista their vocals shall carry us next.
I personally feel there is a sickening yet juicy satisfaction to listening to these guys, especially as their riffs continue unfurling. As mentioned, the band certainly bring a death metal aesthetic to their performance and other than the vocals, the guitar work is absolutely crawling with this influence. Though the band employ a multitude of blackened, visceral riffs that slice and cut the band’s foremost delivery of riffs is without a doubt through chunkier chords that hit us far harder than mere evisceration alone would do. I feel this is aided by how the band also slow their tempo now and again, if not for pace and flow, but also to allow those riffs to truly hit their mark. Their impact is constantly flitting between a stabbing attack and a physically grievous impact, however the band ensure each style of assault has enough time spent on them to make sure that, as they change up, we don’t feel shorted by any particular method of songwriting. This is the songwriting I enjoy most in black metal; you understand what you’re getting but the band in question are genuinely attempting something a little more unique.
I think the drums are going to take people by surprise, for this is no mere blast beat exercise but a full scale swathe of devastation that will leave you honestly bewildered and enthralled. The greatest portion of bass derived from this record an be found through the bass drums and there are key instances within that will really raise your eyebrows. But then you’ll have moments where the bass drums will be surrendered totally, leaving you helpless to the vocals and guitar work. As drumming on the whole goes this is a really impressive display, for their drummer shows how he knows to keep the audience on the cusp of their seats all the while their pace and intensity calms for a moment, before the creeping evil inherent within this record returns again. Its also unlikely you’ll hear the same patterns twice either for there’s certainly care not only for the power that can be thrown into the songwriting, but also where you place that cymbal strike or that sudden injection of bass drums, and then for what purpose. The drums really are a microcosm of the album in effect, dripping with reverence yet they possess a keenly technical outlook towards songwriting.
I took to Wrath Of Logarius very quickly and near the record’s end I figured out why. Owing to the band’s moniker of “formless black metal” and given their style of songwriting, there’s a peculiarly soaring, reaching aesthetic. As one listens to these band you can’t but think that they’re constantly looking up, where that darkness shall be lifted and the light of the elsewhere revealed hoping for some fell future or secret to be unveiled to them, bolstering that lovecraftian angle for hidden, forbidden truth. It doesn’t come across as if they’re revelling in their evil but rather they’re acolytes in pursuits of it, with us right in tow. In a way it makes us complicit in their journey and thus as we careen towards the end, we too feel enlightened to be part of this cosmic story. The guitar work also oozes this concept since its riffs have been applied with a spacey echo underlying the eldritch, unknowable elements the band are dying to learn. It lends the record a sense of scale it doesn’t try to shove down our throats, it manages to give the record a size that comes naturally.
In conclusion, I believe many are going to be caught off guard by how forceful and prominent Wrath Of Logarius render their sound. Simply because the band do try and separate themselves from the majority of their contemporaries, that does not mean that diehard black metals fans of the classic style should just wash their hands of this record. There are a score of reasons why Crown Of Mortis should be experienced and the first in my mind is the utter obliteration their performance entails. For early 2025 and their debut full length album Wrath Of Logarius unleash an absolute storm upon us and will likely feature on the year’s end lists of stronger black metal releases. It manages to be equal parts belligerent and mindful, understanding striking hard at every moment isn’t necessarily the sole solution. But when the band want you feel that power the force they bring your way is immense and truly fulfils the lovecraftian, cosmic edge they’ve been vying for. The Bloodborne namesake is earned, as the band bring us along with them into this searing, climbing, crepuscular ray of antediluvian light. A band to watch out for.
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