MORTUARY DRAPE
Black Mirror PEACEVILLE
Italy’s occult metal mainstays summon more of the rite stuff
PRESS
Formed in 1986 and led by their magnificently named Wildness Perversion, these occult-loving blackened heavy metallers are in spellbinding form on their sixth album. Drawing on early metal, thrash and doom, Black Mirror is a tasty witches’ brew inspired by past lives, parallel worlds and premonitions. Unashamedly in the thrall of Mercyful Fate, the Italians’ latest is their catchiest yet, and it’s a hook-laden romp loaded with rapier riffs, rasped vocals and fretboard acrobatics. Restless Death opens proceedings with a bang and is packed with old-school gallops, tinkling pianos and a chilling performance from Mr. Perversion that would give Oranssi Pazuzu sleepless nights. Rattle Breath also impresses thanks to a gloriously retro bass sound and some clean vocals, as does the grandiose and gloomy title track, which affirms there’s plenty of life still left in these veterans.