Conjuring the Dead is the tenth studio album by the Austrian blackened death metal band Belphegor. It was released on 5 August 2014 through Nuclear Blast. The album was recorded by Erik Rutan at Mana Recording Studios in the United States. The album was preceded by the digital download single, "Gasmask Terror", which was released on 1 July 2014. Earlier, on 25 June, a lyric video for the same song was released.
A music video was shot for the title track, which was directed by Walter Fanninger. The album features cover art by Septicflesh bassist Seth Siro Anton.
Track listing All arrangements by Helmuth Lehner.
Critical reception
After its release, Conjuring the Dead received mixed to positive reviews from music critics. Dave Schalek of About.com said "[...] a densely heavy album with a bludgeoning production courtesy of Erik Rutan, and chock full of excellent songwriting and musicianship. Although fast with plenty of blastbeats, Conjuring The Dead is at its best when Belphegor slow things down to a mid-paced tempo with catchy riffs and deliver an epic sweep to the music." Sammy O'hagar of MetalSucks noted that "Everything is in perfect balance, which is both exhilarating and dangerous. Conjuring the Dead is the ideal snapshot of blackened death metal. It weaves the two genres together seamlessly, then pulls them both apart so each can shine then wonderfully segue back into each other. The blackened parts display a relentless near-grindcore ferocity."
Tony Vilgotsky of Russian metal magazine Dark City rated this album with five out of five stars. He recommended the record "to anyone who respects genuine extreme metal and true heaviness."DarkCity № 82'2014
Personnel Belphegor Helmuth Lehner - vocals, guitars, lyrics Serpenth - bass guitar, vocals
Additional musicians Ms. Alexandra "Dollface" Van Weitus - vocals Glen Benton - vocals on "Legions of Destruction" Attila Csihar - vocals "Legions of Destruction" Martin "Marthyn" Jovanović - drums Sebastian Lanser - sampler, effects Norwin Palme - sampler, effects
Production Seth Siro Anton - artwork Rachael "Hecate" Kozak - lyrics Mina Korzan - lyrics Mr. Blood Seraph - lyrics Sigurd Hagenauer - lyrics Pagan Megan Leo - lyrics Erik Rutan - tracking, mixing, producer Alan Douches - mastering Jakob Klingsbigl, Matthias Reindl, Norwin Palme - recording Robert Caldwell - engineer assistant Gwenn Negative Art, Sunvemetal, Thomas Adorff, - photography Note Recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. Four recording sessions between 29 May 2012 and 15 April 2014. Guitar pre-recordings done at Mischmaschine Studio, February 2012 - May 2012. Additional vocals recorded at Parkdeck studios, and Stretch-audio. Video "Angeli Mortis De Profundis" filmed live during the show at The Masque in Liverpool, UK, on 27 June 2011. Video "Diaboli Virtus In Lumbar Est" filmed live at the Meh Suff Open Air festival from Switzerland on 9 August 2013. Video "In Blood – Devour This Sanctity" filmed live during the show at Moskva Hall from Moscow, Russia, on 6 October 2013. Video "Feast Upon The Dead" filmed live during the Eindhoven Metal Meeting festival from the Netherlands on 13 December 2013. Video "Bondage Goat Zombie" filmed live at the Party San Open Air festival from Germany in 2011. Video "Justine Soaked In Blood" filmed live at the House Of Metal festival from Umeå, Sweden, on 1 March 2014. Backstage video filmed at the Rekwi Festival from Germany on 20 October 2013.
"Gasmask Terror" "Gasmask Terror" is the second single by Belphegor. It was released on 1 July 2014 by Nuclear Blast.
Track listing
Charts Chart (2014)Peakposition Austrian Albums Chart33Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)187German Albums Chart60Japanese Albums (Oricon)245 US Top Heatseekers (Billboard) 13
Release history Formats Region Date Label CD, CD+DVD, LP, digital download North America 5 August 2014 Nuclear Blast Japan 6 August 2014 Ward Records Europe, Brazil 8 August 2014Nuclear Blast UK, France11 August 2014 Russia Soyuz Music
References