Ptahil conceived by multi-instrumentalist J. Mhaghnuis brings a pretty potent storm of raw and uncompromising, ritualistic black metal to the table on this debut EP release Ortus.
Limited to only 300 copies and packaged in a rather nondescript looking (save for a bit of occult symbolism) digipak Ortus consists of two lengthy compositions that are intent on exploring the dark arts without trying to subscribe to any musical genre, something I'm not entirely sure he pulled off . The first track "The Infinite Truth Of The Word Of God is Translated By Corrupt Fallen Man" (there's a mouthful) is full of rapid fire blast beats, snarling vocals and blazing, distorted, tremolo picked, dissonant guitar work. Is it effective? Yes, as he manages to hold the listener's attention for pretty much the entire ten minute duration. However, that being said it didn't stand out as anything original. The same can pretty much be said for the second track "Dies Irae! Dies Illa! Solvet Saeclum In Favilla!"(which I assume is Latin), a hypnotic, twenty minute doom inspired composition. There are a few slight tempo variations but for the most part this one plods along at a dirge like pace while J delivers his lament entirely in Latin.
Ortus is pretty effective overall but I have to say that I was somewhat disappointed. The brief press release that accompanied this disc promised a musical experience that was "unwilling to follow any type of practical theory, musical or otherwise". Ortus isn't terrible by any stretch of the imagination, and I think that as long as you aren't expecting anything too radical you should be able to connect quite easily with what Ptahil is trying to achieve here.
Track Listing
1) The Infinite Truth Of The Word Of God is Translated By Corrupt Fallen Man
2) Dies Irae! Dies Illa! Solvet Saeclum In Favilla!
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