The long anticipated sophomore full length of Celestia is finally here. Now the band is a duo consisting of Noktu (Genocide Kommando, Gestapo 666, Mortifera (Fra), ex-Peste Noire, Sick (US), Seyiren) and Malefic (Xasthur, Sun 0))) (guest), Sick (US), Mord (US), ex-Twilight (US)). Flat out, just based on that line up you know we can expect something dark, evil, depressive, hateful and most importantly a-fucking-mazing.

What shocked me most on my first listen to Frigidiis Apotheosia : Abstinencia Genesiis was that is was not at all as depressive or suffocating as I had imagined (granted before I heard this I had not heard any of Celestia’s older work), as a matter of fact it was melodic to the point of beauty, some riffs (such as that in the beginning of Death of the Lizard Queen) even hold a tinge of Alcest-y glee.

How does Frigidiis Apotheosia : Abstinencia Genesiis compare of Celestia’s older work? Well it is most definitely more melodic, and on a whole more spacious (anyone who is familiar with Celestia knows that as some points the suffocating black metal blasting would open up into epic bouts of dark atmosphere). Not to say that they have gayed-out at all, Celestia is still a mean band with a hell of a “black metal jaw” (thank you Aura Noir) they are just more epic, though not Emperor epic, more contained atmospheric exploration.

All this to Melific’s key board wizardry, although most of the instruments were handled by Noktu you can safely assume that without Malefic Frigidiis Apotheosia : Abstinencia Genesiis would not be the epic that it is. Relatively clear production enhances the idea that Celestia is beautiful and dark rather than kvlt and limited(as in the song “A Regrettable Misinterpretation of Mournfulness”), which in my opinion is great because honestly how far can you take the Darkthrone formula? Beautiful melody and consuming atmospherics aside there are a few downfalls in Frigidiis Apotheosia : Abstinencia Genesiis, namely that the album doesn’t really pick up till “A Regrettable Misinterpretation of Mournfulness” and some of the songs seem to be filler, holding long basic melodies over extended periods of time to make up overly simple songs. Nonetheless Celestia’s Frigidiis Apotheosia : Abstinencia Genesiis is an undoubtedly excellent album, a surprising outcome from both Noktu and Malefic, and absolutely a must have for fans of Emperor, Mortferia (Fra) and Shining (Swe).