Morgue – Close to Complete Darkness

Morgue (not to be confused with Morgue – a death metal band from Dijon, or Morg – a death metal from Nice) is a death metal powerhouse hailing from France. The horde was founded in the late 90s, and since then established itself as a dominant force on the brutal death metal scene. To be more precise; since the beginning of the duo’ career, where they performed a grind-leaning sound, their sound has transformed and transitioned to now what I would call as ‘honest, pure and overwhelming death metal sound’.

Close To Complete Darkness is their fifth full-length, released by Godz ov War Productions! In the time of recording of this new nine-tracker line-up still consisted of following two members; M. Lobier (vocals, guitars & drums) and J. Blandino (bass). Easiest way to describe the sound from Close To Complete Darkness is to say that we are dealing here with an intense, guttural, ferocious and technically precise sound. Most riffs are just bone-crushing riffs, paired with brutal and relentless drumming, as to allowing the bass to shine in some instances and granting more freedom in technical precision and accuracy.

Close To Complete Darkness opens with “Upon the Altar”. It’s a classic opening song, with a deep and colemn orchestral intro before crushing riffs, guttural growls and relentless drums kick in. Lyrically, the track explores the futility of spiritual meaning, rejecting redemption in favor of brutal reality. Now we move to the second track named, “Doorways in Crimson Red” which deals with betrayal and manipulation, while musically offering a wide range of aggressive riffs, thunderous drums, intense and almost doomish bass-lines, and dark & deep vocals. “Blemish”is the first track from the album that I’ve had a pleasure to listen to. It’s an intense death metal song, yet with many mid-tempo parts, creating a space for all the instruments to shine through. “Sacrificial Blood”, as well as tracks like “Disobedience” (as it critiques the false facade of power and the dangers of blind faith), “Towards Complete Darkness” and closing “Speculative Fall of the Human Race”, add just a little more moody menace to the otherwise blistering and brutal death metal assault. It’s catchy, dark, varied yet intense and brutal as death metal record should be!

The aforementioned, “Towards Complete Darkness” is my favourite track from Close To Complete Darkness, mainly due to slow, doomish and oppressive riffs, suffocating atmosphere and very powerful and emotional lyrical and vocal delivery, where the main character/narrator stands on the threshold between life and death. “Death in Communion” is another straightforward, but still overwhelming and devastating, sonic assault. Final track, the abovementioned, “Speculative Fall of the Human Race” ends this 33-minutes long album on a high note, leaving the listener engulfed in despair, a fitting end to Close to Complete Darkness.

I believe that the best way of summarizing this review is to say that, Close to Complete Darkness showcases the band at their bleakest and inhospitable, blending raw aggression with profound thematic depth, echoing existential despair. The overall sound is well-crafted, and the production channels the visceral ferocity of early death metal while embracing modern and brutal death metal’s brutality. The artwork is masterfully crafted by Paolo Girardi, being a striking visual reflection of Morgue’s intense and brutal nature.

Close to Complete Darkness may not be the most inspiring, groundbreaking nor advanced album out there, but I find it to be interesting and well-crafted album, from these purveyors of French death metal. As such, I’ll highly recommend it to all maniacs who like their death metal raw, morbid and ferocious! A mandatory listen!

For additional information on this latest full-length from Morgue, visit https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/close-to-complete-darkness