Deathspell Omega

Deathspell Omega is a Black Metal band from Poitiers, Poitou-Charentes, France that formed in 1998. Their lyrical content deals primarily with Satanism on a metaphysical level. There are currently two albums through a series of three concept albums, focusing on the theological dispute on the divine essence of the Devil, the roles and virtues of faith and the place of man therein. They are commonly regarded as more sophisticated lyrically and ideologically than most Satanic black metal bands. Some of their lyrical inspiration has come from the post-surrealist Georges Bataille. Initially, Deathspell Omega produced raw, traditional black metal akin to Darkthrone's Transilvanian Hunger or Panzerfaust; however, their 2004 release, Si Monvmentvm Reqvires, Circvmspice, marked a change to a more diverse sound heavily influenced by choral music. They have a cult following amongst the underground scene, mainly due to what many consider their seminal work: 2004's Si Monvmentvm Reqvires, Circvmspice. The first chapter in a planned trilogy, the album was released to critical acclaim and continues to be praised. The album's title is a twisting of a popular Latin phrase. The original was "Si Monvmentvm Reqviris, Circvmspice," meaning "if you seek a monument, look around", a phrase that appears in St Paul's Cathedral as a dedication to Sir Christopher Wren. Deathspell Omega's version translates to "if you seek His monument, look around you." The band's work after Si Monvmentvm Reqvires, Circvmspice has been even more experimental and technical, with the 5 tracks they released in 2005 - on Kénôse and a pair of splits - totalling nearly eighty minutes in length and actually exceeding the length of 'Si Monvmentvm...'. The second volume of the band's trilogy, Fas - Ite, Maledicti, in Ignem Aeternum, was released on July 16, 2007, outside the United States, and the following day within the United States, to considerable acclaim. The band released another EP in December 2008, entitled Veritas Diaboli Manet in Aeternum - Chaining the Katechon as a split with French black metallers S.V.E.S.T. as well as by itself as an EP. In the same month they re-released their track Mass Grave Aesthetics (originally appearing on the From The Entrails To The Dirt four-way split album with Malicious Secrets, Antaeus, and Mütiilation) as a single EP on digipack mcd format. Very little is known about the members of Deathspell Omega. However, they have given interviews over the years that explain more about their ideology. Deathspell Omega's assumed members are: Hasjarl, former member of Hirilorn; and Mikko Aspa, responsible for vocals and member of Fleshpress, Clandestine Blaze and Stabat Mater. Hasjarl allegedly has much to do with the activity of Norma Evangelium Diaboli, and was also involved with EAL. Mikko does Northern Heritage and Freak Animal Records, renowned black metal and power-electronics labels, respectively.