DAEMONLORD / LUX FERRE / MALLEUS / MORTINATUM – Acerbus Mortis (2005) CD Review | Underground Black Metal

Pulse Rating: 9 / 10

Some records never try to be polite, cohesive, or accessible — and that’s exactly where their power lies. "Acerbus Mortis" is one of those splits that feels like a descent through four different corridors of the same underground abyss. Picked up on CD for a few euros and worn with age, this is the kind of release that reminds me why split albums matter so much in extreme metal: they document scenes, attitudes, and personal visions frozen in time.

⛤ Genre: Black Metal
⛤ Format: CD – Album (2005)
⛤ Condition: VG
⛤ Price: 4.00€

From the opening moments of Daemonlord’s contribution, the intent is clear: this is black metal driven by conviction rather than refinement. The songs are raw, direct, and militant, built around repetition and a grim sense of purpose. There’s no wasted motion here — just a straightforward march into hostility that sets the tone perfectly.

Lux Ferre’s tracks expand the atmosphere without softening the impact. There’s a ritualistic and almost ceremonial feel to their section, balancing aggression with a colder, more meditative darkness. The production is stark, but deliberate, allowing the emotions behind the music to come through clearly. This is black metal that feels inward-looking, personal, and resolute.

Malleus follows with a harsher, more abrasive approach. The programmed elements don’t detract from the experience; instead, they sharpen it, giving the songs a mechanical, unforgiving edge. These tracks feel hostile and relentless, refusing comfort or resolution, and that uncompromising stance works entirely in their favor.

Mortinatum closes the split by pushing further into bleakness and atmosphere. Longer compositions, shifting structures, and a sense of ritualistic finality give their section a weight that lingers after the disc stops spinning. It feels like an ending not just to the album, but to a journey through different interpretations of the same dark devotion.

I loved this split from the first listen, and time has only reinforced that feeling. Every band here follows its own path to hell, but all four arrive with conviction intact. This is not a split designed for casual listening or background noise — it demands attention, patience, and respect for the underground spirit it represents.

As a physical object, this CD captures a moment that could easily be lost to time. The modest presentation, the raw sound, and the absence of compromise make it a document of underground black metal culture rather than a polished product. For collectors and listeners who value authenticity over perfection, "Acerbus Mortis" remains a powerful and rewarding listen.

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Tracklist

1. Daemonlord – The Lord of Pain – 04:09
2. Daemonlord – After Warfare – 04:33
3. Daemonlord – War – 04:57
4. Lux Ferre – Pela Flamma, pelo Ódio – 03:53
5. Lux Ferre – Para Além... – 04:31
6. Lux Ferre – Filho d'Aurora – 04:37
7. Malleus – Nebula – 04:51
8. Malleus – Ódio Eterno – 04:32
9. Malleus – Espirais do Sofrimento – 07:39
10. Mortinatum – Baso Ilunean – 04:05
11. Mortinatum – Amaiera: Odol Ibaiak – 05:15
12. Mortinatum – Erruki Barik – 04:27
13. Mortinatum – Gizaki Madarikatuak II – 02:57
Total time: 01:00:26

Line-up

Lux Ferre
Devasth – Vocals, Programming
Baal Sabbath – Guitars, Bass

Daemonlord
Egnar – Vocals
Kepa – Guitars, Bass, Drums

Malleus
Vilkacis – Guitars, Bass, Drum programming
Prophet Maledictium – Vocals

Mortinatum
Morgoth – Guitars, Bass
Orko – Guitars, Bass
Urgarun – Vocals, Guitars, Drums

Recording & Production

Lux Ferre recorded between Spring 2003 and Winter 2004 at LF Studios
Mixed, mastered and produced by Lux Ferre
Labels: Oniric Records, War Productions

Official Band Links:
Lux Ferre Bandcamp · Lux Ferre Facebook · Lux Ferre Website · Lux Ferre YouTube
Daemonlord Facebook

🔥 For fans of:

underground black metal, raw European black metal splits, early 2000s extreme metal