Review: Non Est Deus – Blessings and Curses
Non Est Deus’ “Blessings and Curses “is a record that crackles with the tension of its own contradictions. This is melodic black metal designed for festival crowds, yet it never shakes off the claustrophobic intensity of a one-man operation. The album’s concept (an indictment of religious coercion) is as bold as its execution, letting scripture speak for itself rather than resorting to outright blasphemy. The result is a work that feels both personal and universal, a chaotic yet controlled exploration of faith’s darker corners.
Songs like “Forgive Me” and “Transgression” stand out as highlights, their black ‘n’ roll elements hinting at a band on the verge of breaking free from its own safe zone, though the album as a whole sometimes lingers in a mid-space that feels a touch too familiar. What “Blessings and Curses ” lacks in sonic diversity, it makes up for in sheer conviction. The album is split into two thematic halves, a structure that could have been a gimmick but instead lends the record a sense of purpose. The back half, in particular, delivers some of the most compelling material, with riffs and chants that feel built for open-air stages. Yet, for all its strengths, the album occasionally feels like it’s playing it safe, as if Noise, the mastermind behind Non Est Deus, is holding back from fully embracing the chaos he so clearly revels in.
The production is polished but never sterile, and the songwriting is sharp, with a focus on memorability that sets it apart from the often meandering nature of modern black metal. This is music that demands movement, whether it’s headbanging, dancing, or simply being swept up in the storm. The interludes and intros, while sometimes disruptive, serve to reinforce the album’s conceptual weight, grounding the listener in its exploration of guilt, grace, and the hypocrisy of organized religion. “Blessings and Curses ” may not be a perfect record, but it’s a powerful one, a testament to the strength of Noise’s vision and his ability to craft black metal that’s as thought-provoking as it is visceral.
