Six years after Celestia put out their first CD, Apparitia - Sumptuous Spectre, they're back in the game with almost no output in between, save for a demo. Peculiar indeed, for if they continued in the same vein since their inception, they would've doubled their already staggering number of releases. Celestia hail from France and can be considered as the project of one Noktu (Mortifera, Peste Noir). This time however, Malefic (Xasthur, Twilight) comes to his aid in the synth department. Frigidiis Apotheosia is the result of this collaboration.

Getting to the album, this picks up where Apparaitia left off - dark, gloomy, passionate, brooding black metal unlike any other band has played it. I guess it can be described as Romantic 'gothic' metal, where I use the word in a very literal sense. The music brings to life images of dark stonewall chambers, withered roses, haunted castles, forlorn cults, secret doorways and hideously pale persons cutting themselves (the album opener is called 'She's Dead', if you didn't catch my drift). Thankfully, it doesn't cross into Cradle Of Filth territory. Not nearly. This album is gothic like Tim Burton's films with an added dollop of creepy.

There are more acoustic moments here than on the debut album, most of which are elegantly weaved around thick layers of synth and graceful chord progressions. Rococo-ish neoclassical melodies can be heard throughout the album's periphery. Importantly, these are the kind of harmonies that stick to you. Noktu sounds like a ghoul who's just lost his bride, the best he's ever sounded. His rhythm guitars and Malefic's ghastly effects compliment each other very well. But alas, there are some portions of the album which sound hollow due to a lack of synth. Another negative as far as I'm concerned is that some of the drum patterns seem to be hastily programmed - a much better job could have been done. However, the type of atmosphere created is one which is very unique as opposed to any other black metal band. Admirable Eros Abstraction opening with its orchestral backdrop and acoustic lead is my favourite track on the album. The way the song progresses from a bittersweet melody to a brooding doleful passage is extraordinary. Further, none of the songs sound forced and none of them rove about endlessly for unnecessary amounts of time.

Frigidiis Apotheosia spans approximately 45 mins and the quality in songwriting doesn't waver one bit. This makes listening to the album in one sitting gratifying let alone possible (whenever one's in the mood of course). If you are a fan of bands like old Alcest, Mortifera, Peste Noir, Genocide Kommando then this is definitely for you. If you're new to all these bands, but are a fan of any sort of black metal, feel free to enter into their realm through this release.



Label: Paragon Records
Year of Release: 2008