Deathless Legacy: Damnatio Aeterna

Label:Scarlet Records
Release Date:7 March 2025
Genre: Horror Metal

Review By Ian Walker

In a musical landscape that often feels saturated with the mundane, Deathless Legacy emerges as a harbinger of theatricality and audacious storytelling. Their latest offering, Damnatio Aeterna, marks the seventh seal in their discography, a concept album that plunges headfirst into the dark recesses of the human soul, exploring themes of sin, temptation, and eternal damnation. With a narrative that centers around the lesser demon Malchrum’s diabolical challenge from Lucifer, the album is not merely a collection of songs but a sinister opera that unfolds with each track.

From the moment the ominous church organ introduces the title track, “Damnatio Aeterna,” listeners are enveloped in a shadowy atmosphere that is both unsettling and captivating. Steva’s voice—described aptly as unholy, malevolent, and undeniably sexy—serves as the album’s guiding force. Her vocal delivery oscillates between haunting whispers and fierce proclamations, embodying the duality of seduction and horror that defines the genre. It’s a performance that demands attention, reminiscent of the theatrical flair of King Diamond and the brooding charisma of Ghost.

Musically, Damnatio Aeterna is a masterclass in horror metal. The guitar work, helmed by Sgt. Bones, is ferocious and intricate, weaving occult metal riffs that are both melodic and punishing. Tracks like “Get On Your Knees” and “Oblivion” showcase a blend of speed and precision, where chugging rhythms collide with soaring leads, creating a soundscape that feels both chaotic and meticulously crafted. The interplay between guitar and keyboards—courtesy of Alex van Eden—adds a layer of richness, with synths that swell and recede like the tides of a cursed ocean, perfectly complementing the lyrical themes of despair and damnation.

The album’s production, recorded at Eden Studios and mixed by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio, is pristine yet retains a raw edge that enhances the overall atmosphere. Each instrument is given space to breathe, allowing the listener to fully immerse themselves in the dark narrative. The meticulous attention to detail is evident in tracks like “Communion” and “Indulgentia Plenaria,” where the arrangement builds tension, drawing the listener deeper into Malchrum’s sinister machinations.

Lyrically, Damnatio Aeterna is unapologetically provocative. The band’s anticlerical stance shines through, challenging the dogmas of organized religion while simultaneously exploring the nature of evil. The satirical undertones are particularly evident in “Mother Of God” and “Spiritus Sanctus Diabolicus,” where Deathless Legacy deftly critiques the hypocrisy often found within religious institutions. The storytelling is rich and layered, inviting listeners to not just hear the music but to engage with the narrative on a deeper level.

Visual artist and band leader Andrea Falaschi’s contributions to the album’s artwork and accompanying videoclips are equally noteworthy. The aesthetic is a marriage of gothic imagery and modern design, perfectly encapsulating the album’s themes. The first edition’s 4-panel digipack promises to be a collector’s item, a fitting tribute to the theatricality that Deathless Legacy embodies.

As we traverse through the album’s ten tracks, the tension escalates, culminating in the climactic “Gehenna.” Here, the narrative reaches its zenith, with Steva’s vocals soaring above a maelstrom of instrumentation, embodying the chaos of eternal damnation. It’s a fitting conclusion to a journey that has been as exhilarating as it is unsettling.

While Damnatio Aeterna may not break new ground within the horror metal genre, it certainly cements Deathless Legacy’s status as masters of their craft. Their ability to weave complex narratives through music, paired with their theatrical presentation, sets them apart from their contemporaries. With over 3 million views on YouTube for previous works and a growing fanbase on platforms like Spotify, it is clear that the world is ready for the dark, provocative tales that Deathless Legacy has to offer.

In a time when the boundaries of metal continue to expand, Damnatio Aeterna serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling within music. It invites listeners to confront their fears, question their beliefs, and ultimately embrace the darkness that resides within us all. This is horror metal at its most unapologetic, and for that, Deathless Legacy deserves every ounce of recognition they receive.