Who said one man cannot be an army? He absolutely can! And an excellent confirmation of this is St. Julius — the sole and inimitable member of the Lviv-based liturgy sympho black metal project CAPITOLLIUM. Seraphim's Lair is already his third release.
Compared to the two previous discs, the music has noticeably become heavier and more aggressive, and the guitar parts are simply stunning in their abundance. The vocals have also grown stronger. If on "Undivine Antipathy" and "Symphony Of Posession" the vocals served as just another instrument, on "Seraphim's Lair" they come to the forefront, fulfilling their primary function — creating the atmosphere and character of each particular piece. Another highlight of this release is the mighty voice of Father Trixter, which you can appreciate in the composition "Seventh Oath Of The Cursed." And the crowning touch — the quintessentially Capitollium-style organ parts and bells. This lends the music greater richness, mysticism, and perfectly corresponds to the image of St. Julius, whose appearance strikes with its bloodthirstiness.
Moving smoothly to the artwork. And once again, let us compare. Unlike the previous two releases, where cold tones dominated, this one combines black and red colors. The booklet features photographs taken by St. Julius himself at Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv.
And there it is again — the urge to visit Lviv, to once more savor the grandeur of Gothic cathedrals, wander through misty winding streets, and strengthen a long-standing love affair with that enchanting city.