EP Review: Nexus Imperium – Nexus Imperium

Nexus Imperium is the self-titled official debut of a two-piece experimental, atmospheric black metal act from Athens, Greece. There are five tracks, each one well crafted and with some interesting quirks amongst the heavy, unrelenting black metal blasts.

Classing music as “atmospheric” allows for a lot of experimentation, and black metal these days often is atmospheric by its very nature. Nexus Imperium have pushed the boundaries a little further than most, and included some genuinely original sidesteps in each track.

The band’s theme is “to study and present the past, present and future of this vast universe we live in from when time began to which future plans may be for all lifeforms,” and to thrash you in the face with their take on creation. The core of the band is a duo, but they have drafted in a drummer (Krzysztof Klingbein) rather than use a machine, and this does make a difference. There’s just something a little unnatural about artificial drums, even when they’re well done.

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Opening track “Singularity” is all keyboards and scene-setting, but “Cosmic Disturbance” wastes no time with the blast beats and scorching guitars. There’s still an eerie undertone pervading proceedings, though, and it cuts to a much more laid back, clean guitar piece a little over halfway through.

“Thermal Perfection” can be played below and really blends the heavier material with the more laid back without ever really letting up. Towards the end, the experimental edge kicks in and there’s almost a jazz influence working its way in. The 7 1/2-minute “Expansion” is probably my favourite. A torrent of violent ear-bashing, climaxing and then petering out to the sounds of 1970s sci-fi synths. Bizarre… but perfectly in keeping with the album’s theme.

“Seeds” rounds the album off in blistering fashion, and actually reminds me of very early Sepultura – which does drive home how heavy they were back in the day!

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A worthwhile EP, imaginative and well-produced… and available on Bandcamp for whatever you want to pay for it. Physical versions are on their way for those who prefer to hold their music in their hands.

Nexum Imperium is out now.

Check out all the bands we review in 2021 on our Spotify and YouTube playlists!

Nexus Imperium: facebook | instagram | bandcamp | youtube

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