American black metal duo Inquisition returns with an enigmatic new album entitled “Bloodshed Across The Empyrean Altar Beyond The Celestial Zenith” that promises to represent a confident mature milestone in the band’s career.

“From Chaos They Came” is all about raw guitar riffing breaking the cold ice of another winter day. Minimalist primitive black metal drumming provides the renowned breathless chaotic atmosphere but there are some scattered tempo changes that attempt to variegate the main blackened core.

“Wings Of Anu” follows the same primordial rules with super monotone croaked growls and/or rasps bearing immense suffering and tight guitar riffs and hyper aggressive drumming that build an introvert groove.

On “The Flames Of Infinite Blackness Before Creation” the tempo slows down dramatically to reach an ominous atmospheric depth filled with tragic doom style heaviness and somber guitar melodies.

“Through The Divine Spirit Of Satan A Glorious Universe Is Known” has a dirty melodic approach with acoustic arpeggios that create a feeble light to guide you through the mysterious vortex of colder, somehow catchy, guitar riffs.

The title track has a more atmospheric mystical theme with a slower tempo and dominant guitar work that offers a necessary enlightened sonic variety and leaves behind the redundant chaotic rhythm.

Overall, “Bloodshed Across The Empyrean Altar Beyond The Celestial Zenith” has all the right black metal treats that make people go insane but it often relies too much on a monochromatic music theme.